With longtime Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer Charlene Thomas set to retire Oct. 1, UPS announced Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Darrell Ford will take on the added role.

Ford has more than 30 years of experience in HR and previously served in similar roles with DuPont, Xerox, Advanced Micro Devices, Shell, and Honeywell, according to his company profile. He is a member of UPS’s executive leadership council.

Thomas will retire after 34 years with the company, having led global DEI efforts among employees, suppliers, and customers around the world. She previously served as chief human resources officer before Ford succeeded her.

She led the company’s policy changes regarding tattoos, natural hair, and other areas of personal appearance. She began her UPS career in 1989, progressing through successive leadership roles in U.S. operations. Thomas held roles in global marketing, corporate learning, and talent development as the U.S. operations training director. She is also a member of the executive leadership council.

She sits on the board of directors for the National Urban League, according to her company profile.

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