GM makes leadership change in North America just 8 months after naming new leader

Detroit Free Press

General Motors will see a shift in leadership for its important North American region with the departure of Marissa West, part of a series of organizational changes announced Friday.

Rory Harvey, executive vice president and president of GM Global Markets, is taking on day-to-day responsibilities for the North American market and global brands, effective immediately, according to an email sent to employees from GM President Mark Reuss and obtained by the Free Press.

Harvey had previously served as president of GM North America.

West, who was appointed senior vice president and president for GM North America in January, "has decided to leave GM after more than 20 years," the message said.

Marissa West is leaving General Motors after more than 20 years. She was appointed senior vice president and president of GM North America in January.

West, who reported to Harvey, had served as GM Canada's managing director before her move to her most recent role, according to a Free Press story in December that detailed numerous executive changes.

West also held numerous positions at the company in engineering and sales and operational roles over the years.

"Throughout every turn, Marissa demonstrated positive leadership, built and led great teams, and contributed across multiple vehicle programs and functions," according to the Reuss message.

The company, in a statement provided by GM spokesman Kevin Kelly, offered an explanation for the various organizational changes:

"GM is reducing the complexity of our organization to better integrate Global Markets, move faster and serve customers around the world. The structural changes we are making will help modernize our end-to-end customer experience and create growth opportunities across our products and services," the statement said.

Rory Harvey will take over day-to-day responsibilities for General Motors' North American market after the departure of Marissa West.

GM also noted some of the other executive duty changes, effective Sept. 1:

Duncan Aldred, currently global vice president of Buick and GMC, will assume the new role of vice president Commercial Growth Strategies and Operations, reporting to Rory.
Jaclyn McQuaid, currently president of GM Europe, will become global vice president, Buick and GMC.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.