It's not yet clear what the doctor's role on the board will be, as GM neglected to say what exactly she will be in charge of. According to GM's CEO, Ed Whitacre, she will provide a new insight into how to build vehicles.
"The addition of Dr. Telles to GM’s board of directors ensures that the company will continue to benefit from a diversity of perspectives and experience in our mission to provide consumers with the world’s best vehicles."
Dr. Telles, recently appointed to the National Advisory Council of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is, largely, specialized in the mental health of Hispanic populations.
GM is her first encounter with the automotive world. Although extensive, her career has so far been limited to her area of expertise and a couple of roles in financial institutions. She is a member of the board of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals and is also working with the largest Hispanic-owned bank in California, Americas United.
Odd as it may seem, the appointment coms as a result of the disbanding of the former board in July last year. Apparently, GM took the US treasury's advice of adding diversity to the board literally. Or, probably, they just need to keep mentally strong in light on the $4.3 billion loss reported for the last months of 2009 and Whitacre's promise to repay the $6.7 billion loan by the end of June. That's two months from now...
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