Ford Motor Co. says former U.S. House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and local utility chairman Anthony Earley Jr. have been added to its board of directors.

The Dearborn automaker says the appointments are effective immediately.

The 68-year-old Gephardt served 14 terms in the House from Missouri. Ford says he now runs a consulting firm that helps companies compete globally and is senior counsel for a large law firm.

The 59-year-old Earley is chairman and CEO of DTE Energy, which owns electric utility Detroit Edison and natural gas company Michigan Consolidated Gas.

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford says the company is fortunate to have the two leaders on its board at an important time in company history.