Biography
Maria Ford is the President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales and Marketing at Stanley Black & Decker where she is the steward of the organization’s $2 billion division overseeing a team of more than 400. As President, Maria is responsible for driving top-line and bottom-line sales as well as end user-facing marketing strategies within the commercial and industrial construction sectors.
After joining Stanley Black & Decker in 1998 as an intern on the sales team, Maria took on a variety of cross-functional roles of increasing responsibility within the field sales, product management, end user marketing, and channel marketing functions within Stanley Black & Decker. These positions most recently included Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Farm & Hardware and Vice President of Commercial & Industrial Channel Marketing before stepping into her current role as President in 2022.
Maria spearheads strategic partnerships with end users that rely on industry-leading tools and technology solutions from the organization’s iconic brands – DEWALT, CRAFTSMAN, and STANLEY, among many others – to drive productivity. She is recognized for her ability to guide her organization through an evolving marketplace, while maintaining business agility and operational excellence in today’s competitive landscape.
Maria is a trustworthy advocate for the advancement of women in the industry; speaking on national platforms provided by the North America’s Building Trades Union; the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, and the National Electrical Contractors Association, Maria is constructing and clearing a path for women of all backgrounds to advance from Internships & Apprentices to executive and Presidential levels of Contractors and Trade Associations.
Maria earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Loyola University Maryland. She has served on industry boards to include the Industrial Supply Association throughout her tenure. Maria lives in Maryland with daughter Caroline (12) and son Declan (10) and enjoys spending time golfing and coaching youth recreational sports.