Chairman, General Motors Corporation
1985
Bio:
Background information is taken from biographical write-up located in archive files. Information was provided by General Motors Corporation. Roger B. Smith became chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors on January 1, 1981. He is also chairman of GM's Finance Committee and a member of the Executive and Administration Committee. Prior to being elected chairman, Mr. Smith had been an executive vice president and member of the GM Board of Directors since December 1, 1975. Mr. Smith is a member of the Corporation's 10 policy groups - Energy, Industrial Relations, Materials Management, Overseas, Personnel Administration and Development, Product, Public Relations, Research, Sales and Service, Marketing. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he received his formal education in Michigan. He was graduated from Detroit University School; earned a bachelor's degree and master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. Roger Smith began his GM career as a general accounting clerk in the Detroit Central office. After a series of other promotions, he became treasurer, vice president in charge of the financial staff, and then member of the Administration Committee. In the following year, he became vice president and group executive in charge of Non-automotive and Defense Group. In 1974, Mr. Smith was elected executive vice president with responsibility for the Financial, Public Relations, and Industry-Government Relations staffs. He was also named a member of the Finance and Executive Committee. Mr. Smith was the originator of the General Motors Cancer Research Awards, designed to recognize basic and clinical scientists throughout the world for hallmark accomplishments in research on the cause, prevention and treatment of cancer. Mr. Smith is chairman of the General Motors Cancer Research Foundation, which administers the award; three prizes have been awarded yearly since 1979. Mr. Smith is a member of the Advisory Council of the Graduate School of Business of Stanford University, a trustee of the Cranbrook Educational Community, and of the Michigan Colleges Foundation, Inc. He was the national chairman for the 1984 U.S. Saving Bonds Volunteer Committee. In 1985, he was named Chief Executive Officer of the year by Financial World magazine. On the Board of Directors of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association, Mr. Smith also serves as a director of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Renaissance, New Detroit, Inc. and chairman of the United Foundation in Detroit. Commencement, University of Detroit, May 11, 1985.