GM Makes Leadership Changes, Creates New Role

DETROIT – General Motors Co. announced Wednesday that it is making several changes to its product development team and creating a new role to oversee its global regions. 

The moves, driven by the retirement of Doug Parks, executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain, will streamline the organization, allow for faster implementation of new vehicle and technology programs and accelerate the company’s go-to-market strategies, a news release states.

“We’ve spent years preparing GM to transition to an all-electric future, and Doug’s leadership has been pivotal. We are grateful for his many contributions to GM’s success,” said Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO. “The changes we are announcing today will continue to drive technical excellence and deliver groundbreaking vehicles to our customers around the world.”

Here are the leadership changes:

• Ken Morris, currently vice president of global vehicle and propulsion teams, will be promoted to senior vice president of product programs, product safety and motorsports. Morris retains his current responsibilities leading global vehicle programs and will add global product safety, launch excellence and motorsports product development.

• Josh Tavel, currently global vice president of customer care and aftersales, will be promoted to senior vice president of energy storage and propulsion, R&D and manufacturing engineering. This role will integrate GM’s products and processes in areas critical to accelerating the company’s electrification strategy, including battery development and manufacturing engineering activities.

• Rory Harvey, currently executive vice president and president of GM North America, will move to a newly created role as executive vice president and president of global markets. Harvey will work with the global regional teams to bring vehicles, software and technologies to customers around the world.

• Marissa West, currently president and managing director of GM Canada, will join the global markets leadership team as senior vice president and president of GM North America, reporting to Harvey.

All leadership changes will take effect Jan. 2, 2024.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.