GM Announces Executive Changes, Including New General Manager for GM Fleet & Commercial Operations

General Motors named Kurt Ritter, pictured here at the Chicago Auto Show, general manager, Buick and Pontiac-GMC divisions effective March 1, 2003.

General Motors announced today that it has made several significant changes aimed at strengthening its North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing (VSSM) organization. Kurt Ritter will take on the new position of general manager, Buick and Pontiac-GMC divisions effective March 1, 2003. According to GM, the alignment of Buick, Pontiac and GMC, along with the future product portfolio, will make this the fourth largest retail channel in the automotive industry. The company’s channel strategy will position dealers to provide customers with convenient, brand-focused sales and service, and will help dealers attain higher profits by increasing their volume and revenue. Ritter will work with dealers to assess their facilities’ image and retail needs. He will report to John Middlebrook, vice president of vehicle brand marketing and corporate advertising. Ritter will ensure that portfolio planning, network development, and tactical marketing planning are aligned across the three brands. In addition, Ritter takes direct responsibility for Buick marketing, while Lynn Myers, divisional marketing general manager of Pontiac-GMC, continues to coordinate marketing efforts in support of the Buick-Pontiac-GMC channel. In other moves effective March 1:

Brent Dewar will replace Ritter as divisional marketing general manager of Chevrolet. Dewar will report to Middlebrook. Dewar had been general manager of the northeast region.

James Bunnell, regional sales manager for the north central region, will replace Dewar as general manager of GM’s northeast region. Bunnell will report to Pete Gerosa, vice president, field sales, service and parts.

Roger Adams, divisional marketing general manager of Buick, becomes general manager of GM Customer Network, which is responsible for GM BuyPower, DealerLink, and interactive marketing and advertising. Adams will report to Middlebrook.

Katherine Benoit was appointed executive director, vehicle order fulfillment. She had been executive director, GM Customer Network. Benoit will report to Gerosa and Brad Ross, executive-in-charge of order-to-delivery.

Brian McVeigh, director, order-to-delivery/vehicle order fulfillment operations, has been appointed general manager, GM fleet & commercial operations. McVeigh will report to Gerosa.

Dave Hansen, general manager of GM fleet & commercial operations, takes on the newly created position of GM Global Manufacturing System implementation leader for VSSM. Hansen will report to Kent Sears, vice president of quality for GM North America.