General Motors Chief Executive and Chairman Dan Akerson is to leave both positions as of January 15 next year, when he will be succeeded by Mary Barra. Currently working as executive vice president of global product development and purchasing and supply chain for GM, 52-year-old Barra will also step into the history books as the world’s first worldwide automotive brand CEO.
The announcement came shortly after confirmation that all remaining GM stock held by the government had been sold-off.
Akerson’s retirement from GM has been pushed forward since his wife’s cancer diagnosis – he was originally planning to remain in his position until the middle of next year at least. He took up the role of CEO and Chairman a year after becoming a GM board member, going on to restore faith in the brand even during the economic crisis.
“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,” he said upon the announcement.
After Barra takes over as CEO, Mark Reuss will become the new EVP of global product development and purchasing and supply chain, while Tim Solso will take the role of Chairman. GM Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Dan Ammann will also become the new GM President, though will continue all current obligations until a new CFO is named next year.