More Executive Changes at GM

Going through a long restructuring process, GM has announced today several major changes in its leadership, sales and marketing positions. The North American auto maker replaced Gary Cower from his position of group vice president for global manufacturing and labor relations with Tim Lee.

Lee, 58, was GM Europe president of manufacturing and held other leadership positions at Isuzu Motors in Japan. Until the end of the year, when this change will become effective, Cower, 62, will remain - at Fritz Henderson's request - to oversee and assume responsibility for the integration of Delphi facilities being acquired by GM and for the preparation and launch of new battery assembly facilities.

Ralph Szygenda, 60, will be replaced from his position as group vice president and chief information officer with Terry Kline. The change will be effective October 1. Kilne, 47, is the current process information officer for product development.

Troy Clarke, 54, will retire October 1 from the position of group vice president and president of GM North America. GM's current CEO Fritz Henderson will assume responsibilities of GM North America.

Maureen Kempston Darkes, 60, will retire from her position as group vice president of GM Latin America, Africa and Middle-East at the end of the year. The decision making process for LAAM will move to the GM International Operations in Shanghai.

October 1 will also see the retirement of GM Vice President and CEO of GM Daewoo, Michael Grimaldi, 57. Grimaldi's replacement will be announced in the near future by GM International Operations.

Jonathan Browning, 50, will also retire as of October 1 from his position as GM Vice President, Global Sales, Service and Marketing. His position won't see a replacement, instead his staff will merge with the North American division and GMIO (General Motors International Operations).

"With these announcements, most of the new GM leadership team is in place. We expect to have the final round of announcements next week”, said Henderson.

"I'd like to congratulate the leaders who are assuming new positions, and personally thank Jonathan Browning, Troy Clarke, Gary Cowger, Michael Grimaldi, Maureen Kempston Darkes and Ralph Szygenda for their leadership during an extraordinary period for GM. Their years of dedicated work have helped create the foundation for a new GM, and we wish them the best as they move into the next chapters of their lives."