Maria Ford Appointed to Forbes Business Development Council

Rhea-AI Summary

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) announced that Maria Ford, President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales at DEWALT, has been appointed to the Forbes Business Development Council. Ford, who oversees DEWALT's $2 billion U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales division, brings over 25 years of experience since joining the company as an intern in 1998.

Ford has been selected based on her industry expertise and successful track record in business growth. As a Council member, she will contribute insights on Forbes.com about industry trends, challenges, and solutions. Ford has been particularly vocal in advocating for skilled trades and supporting the construction industry's workforce development.

Positive

• Ford oversees a significant $2 billion U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales division
• Strategic appointment provides platform for industry leadership and visibility

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• None.

Maria Ford, President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales, joins exclusive Council to share insights on matters impacting the construction industry and empowering the next generation of tradespeople

TOWSON, Md., July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, today announced Maria Ford, President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales, has joined the Forbes Business Development Council, a prestigious community of senior-level sales and business development executives. The Council convenes leaders across all industries to collaborate and share insight into the latest trends, challenges, solutions and predictions for the future of business.

Ford was selected by a review committee based on her industry experience and track record of successfully impacting business growth, coupled with her personal and professional achievements. As a member of the Council, Ford will regularly connect with other respected executives to offer her thoughts and perspectives on a range of topics on Forbes.com.

Ford has been a vocal advocate for the skilled trades, using her platform to inspire the next generation of workers. From delivering a keynote speech at NABTU's Tradeswomen Build Nations – the world's largest gathering of tradeswomen – to penning op-eds and participating in media interviews, she has consistently supported the enablement of individuals to pursue careers in the trades.

Ford's career began in 1998 when she joined Stanley Black & Decker as an intern. She steadily climbed the ranks, taking on roles of increasing responsibility in sales, product marketing, and channel marketing. Over the years, she became a trusted leader, guiding some of the company's largest brands and customer accounts.

Today, Ford is a steward of DEWALT's $2 billion U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales division. Ford champions the organization's end-users and largest trade associations, contractors and distribution partners throughout the country to empower pros through cutting edge tools and technology solutions.

"It is an honor to be a part of the Forbes Business Development Council and join forces with an accomplished community of visionaries to tackle the challenges facing businesses of every size, across every industry, such as the future workforce," said Maria Ford, President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales, DEWALT. "My aim is to learn from my peers and spotlight issues and solutions to support the construction industry and the trades with the goal of driving impactful change."

To learn more about DEWALT, visit www.dewalt.com.

About Forbes Councils
Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit https://councils.forbes.com.

About DEWALT
DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, is a leader in total jobsite solutions. For more than 100 years, DEWALT has been powering the future of construction with tools and technologies that have been designed, built and tested to help deliver safety and productivity on every jobsite. For more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE DEWALT

FAQ

Who is Maria Ford at Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK)?

Maria Ford is the President of U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales at DEWALT, overseeing a $2 billion division. She joined Stanley Black & Decker as an intern in 1998 and has risen through various roles in sales and marketing.

What is the significance of Maria Ford joining the Forbes Business Development Council?

Ford's appointment to this prestigious invitation-only council allows her to collaborate with senior-level executives and share insights on Forbes.com about business trends, challenges, and solutions.

How large is the DEWALT division that Maria Ford manages at SWK?

Maria Ford manages DEWALT's $2 billion U.S. Commercial & Industrial Sales division, working with trade associations, contractors, and distribution partners.

What is Maria Ford's role in promoting skilled trades at Stanley Black & Decker?

Ford is a vocal advocate for skilled trades, delivering keynotes at events like NABTU's Tradeswomen Build Nations, writing op-eds, and working to inspire the next generation of workers in the trades.