General Motors Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner recently announced that
Mary Barra, currently executive director, vehicle manufacturing
engineering, was appointed GM vice president, global manufacturing
engineering, effective February 1. In her new position, Mary
reports to Gary Cowger, GM group vice president, global manufacturing
and labor relations. She will succeed Jim Wiemels, who will retire
April 1 after 43 years of service.
"We
are pleased to have a leader of Mary Barra's capability ready to step
into this important role, heading up engineering for our assembly
plants worldwide," Wagoner said. "We thank Jim Wiemels for his 43 years
of exemplary service in a wide range of manufacturing and general
management leadership roles around the globe."
Barra,
46, was most recently executive director, vehicle manufacturing
engineering. She joined GM in 1980 as a co-op student. She earned her
Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from General Motors
Institute (now Kettering University) in 1985, and an MBA from Stanford,
where she was a GM Fellow. Prior to her current assignment, Barra was
plant manager for the Detroit Hamtramck Assembly Center. Among other
assignments, Barra also served as manager for manufacturing planning
for GM Midsize Car Division, as general director for internal
communications for GM North America, and as executive director of
competitive operations engineering for North American Vehicle
Operations.
Wiemels, 61, also attended General Motors Institute,
where he earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering,
attended the Harvard program for management development, and received
an MA in business management from Central Michigan University. Among
his many assignments, Wiemels was a general manager for the Lansing
Automotive Division, chairman and managing director of GM Holden Ltd.,
and vice president for manufacturing for GM Europe. He has been a GM
vice president since 1994.
automotive advice for women
