General Motors today announced that Dan Akerson will retire as chairman and CEO of the company on January 15, 2014, and will be replaced by Mary Barra, who will become the first ever woman to hold this position at any global carmaker.
Barra, 51, currently executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain, was elected by the Board of Directors to become the next CEO of the company and will also join the GM Board.
Akerson, 65, pulled ahead his succession plan by several months after his wife was recently diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer. The Board also named Theodore Solso to succeed Akerson as Chairman. A member of the GM Board since June 2012, Solso is the former chairman and CEO of Cummins, Inc.
“I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America’s standard bearer in the global auto industry,” Akerson said in a message to employees.
Barra has 33 years of experience at GM and has held a series of manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions. GM describes her as the mastermind behind the ongoing turnaround, with the revitalized product development process resulting in the launch of well-received new products.
“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today’s GM. I’m honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed,” said Mary Barra.
The reshuffled management team also includes Dan Ammann, executive vice president and chief financial officer, who was named company president and will be responsible for managing the company’s regional operations around the world. GM’s North America boss Mark Reuss, will replace Barra as executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain.
Alan Batey, currently senior vice president, Global Chevrolet and U.S. Sales and Marketing, will replace Reuss as Executive Vice President and President, North America. Finally, Steve Girsky, vice chairman, Corporate Strategy, Business Development and Global Product Planning, will move to a senior advisor role before leaving the company in April 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
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