General Motors CEO Mary Barra adds chairman to her title

  • Associated Press
  • Monday, January 4, 2016 1:25pm
  • Business

DETROIT — General Motors CEO Mary Barra is also taking on the role of chairman at the nation’s largest automaker.

The company’s directors Monday unanimously elected her to lead the board, effective immediately. She’ll replace Theodore Solso, who will stay on as the board’s lead independent director, the company said in a statement.

Barra, 54, took over as CEO in January of 2014, becoming the first woman to lead a major global automaker. Her appointment came shortly before GM became embroiled in a scandal over faulty small-car ignition switches. But she led GM through the crisis and a related series of embarrassing safety recalls.

Barra replaced Dan Akerson, a former telecommunications and private equity executive, who also held the chairman and CEO roles before leaving GM.

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