Rod Wood
Team President
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Owner and Chairman of the Board Martha Firestone Ford appointed Rod Wood as the Lions’ team president November 19, 2015. Wood reports directly to Mrs. Ford and oversees the business operations of the organization.
Upon his hiring, Wood immediately began evaluating all business functions within the Lions and Ford Field. Concurrent with his organizational evaluation, Wood assisted Mrs. Ford and the Ford Family with the search and ultimate hiring of Bob Quinn as the franchise’s new general manager.
Wood’s “everything is on the table” approach to shaping the business affairs of the franchise has made a tangible and positive impact on the business operations for both the Lions and Ford Field on and off the field.
In his two years, Wood implemented significant changes that range from day-to-day operations to new branding and has done so guided by a mission to improve the team’s competitive financial position, fan engagement and overall customer experience. Wood has strengthened the Lions and Ford Field brands with improved business partnerships and more strategic alliances that positively influence the business operation and provide necessary financial support to the club’s football operations.
This past February, Wood unveiled plans for the first major renovation to the Detroit Lions’ home stadium, Ford Field, since it opened its doors in 2002. The $100 million investment incorporates a complete overhaul of the audio and visual experience that features new videoboards as well as a new state-of-the-art sound system. The stadium’s premium spaces have received a complete makeover with expanded offerings to fans.
The team, also in February, unveiled a rebranding initiative that emphasizes the classic colors of Honolulu Blue and Silver. At the forefront of the team’s rebranding and perhaps its most visible assets, the Lions new uniforms, revealed in April 2017, now feature Home, Away, Throwback and Color Rush combinations.
With the fan game-day experience a primary focus for Wood, his team implemented a significant upgrade to the stadium’s Wi-Fi and also oversaw the return of a team cheerleading squad for the first time in four decades.
Additionally, Wood works alongside Quinn to improve the team’s football infrastructure at the Lions Allen Park practice facility. Over the past year, they have completely renovated and updated the weight room and practice fields, along with other ongoing facility improvements. The team responded positively in 2016 to the new leadership of Wood and Quinn, earning an NFC playoff berth with a 9-7 record.
At the League level, Wood was appointed to and serves on the NFL’s Investment Committee.
For the eight years prior to his appointment as team president, Wood worked closely with the Detroit Lions organization and the Ford Family in his role as President and CEO of Ford Estates.
From 1999 until his appointment at Ford Estates in 2007, Wood was Executive Vice President of Wealth Management for the Wilmington Trust Company in Wilmington, Del., a $400 million operation with 17 offices in eight states. Wood directed the company’s entire wealth management business nationally, and he managed the personal trust, financial planning, private banking, investment management, family office services and sales functions for the wealth advisory business of Wilmington Trust.
Prior to joining Wilmington Trust, Wood held an executive position with Comerica Bank where he oversaw 12 offices in four states.
Over the years, Wood has been a member on numerous company and non-profit boards. He now serves on the board of trustees and is an officer for Detroit Lions Charities. He is also a member of the boards for CATCH, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for pediatric patients and their families at Children's Hospital of Michigan and Henry Ford Hospital; the Downtown Detroit Partnership, which includes business, philanthropic and government partners that strengthen the city through strategic initiatives and program; and newly-created Detroit Sports Organizing Corporation, geared specifically to identify, bid and attract sporting events to the region.
Wood graduated from Goodrich (Mich.) High School, and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan and a graduate degree from the ABA Graduate School of Commercial Banking.
Wood and his wife, Susan, have one daughter, Alison, and a son, Taylor.
211 West Fort Street
