Fair Lane Appoints New President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 28, 2025

Devon O’Reilly has been named the next President and CEO of Fair Lane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford.  

Devon joins Fair Lane after more than 10 years at the Detroit Regional Chamber, most recently as a Senior Director of Community Engagement and Leadership Development. At the Chamber, he led the growth of several key initiatives focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation, including the acclaimed Leadership Detroit program and the Detroit Policy Conference.  

He succeeds long-time non-profit executive Bob Bury, who led Fair Lane for nearly 7 years following his storied career as President and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society. 

“I have cherished memories of exploring the beautiful grounds as a young child with my parents, and later, being intrigued by the many achievements of Clara and Henry Ford and the significance of their lives at Fair Lane,” Devon shared. “As a near lifelong resident of Dearborn, and graduate of the Henry Ford Academy and the University of Michigan – Dearborn, the opportunity to be part of Fair Lane’s future at this pivotal time is incredibly exciting,” he added.  

“The transformation that has occurred at my great-grandparents’ home over the past several years has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Edsel B. Ford II, Fair Lane’s Board Chair. “Thanks to Bob’s leadership and the talent and dedication of his incredible team, we are quickly approaching the day when the residence, powerhouse, and magnificent grounds will be ready for the public to experience and enjoy. The Board of Trustees and I are confident the momentum will continue and the vision will be fully realized under Devon’s leadership,” he added. 

Devon joins Fair Lane on June 1st and will oversee nearly 30 staff members responsible for numerous restoration and construction projects as well as key administrative, development, marketing, and visitor experience initiatives. Bob Bury will remain at Fair Lane in an advisory role during the transition. 

About Fair Lane 

Fair Lane, reorganized as an independent nonprofit organization in 2013, is a National Historic Landmark, whose mission is to illuminate the lives and legacy of Clara and Henry Ford for visitors through the imagination of their beloved estate. Today, work continues to complete the restoration of the main residence, powerhouse, and grounds in anticipation of re-opening the estate to the public in 2027.   

For more information, contact Giles Simmer at gsimmer@henryfordestate.org