GM North America Prez Alan Batey Hangs Up His Boots

A familiar face in General Motors’ executive ranks is heading into retirement, the company has announced. Alan S. Batey, president of GM’s North American operations, plans to retire effective April 1st — four decades after joining the automaker.

Stepping into Batey’s shoes, albeit with a different title, is GM International President Barry Engle, a relative newcomer to the company.

Batey’s time with GM began in 1979, with the UK native climbing the ranks to his current position in 2014. GM handed him the global Chevrolet portfolio in 2013.

As for Engle, the 55-year-old exec joined the company in 2015 after 13 years spent at Ford and stints at a number of other companies. His first role saw him take charge of GM’s South American operations, with his purview expanding to markets outside North America and China a year later.

“As our company continues to streamline operations, simplify our systems and refine our global go-to-market strategies, I see Barry as the perfect leader to continue our transformation in each of these markets,” said GM CEO Mary Barra in a statement. “Alan and his team have achieved record financial performance and created a customer-focused foundation, and we greatly appreciate what he has contributed to GM over his almost 40 years of service across the globe.”

Engle won’t just get a new role, but a new title. His letterhead will inform everyone of the new position of “executive vice president and president, the Americas.”

There’s more going on in GM’s upper echelon than just the Batey-Engle swap, too. Julian Blissett, currently GM-SAIC executive vice president in China, was named senior vice president, International Operations, overseeing the automaker’s operation outside the Americas and China. Meanwhile, Alicia Boler Davis, 49, executive vice president, global manufacturing, announced she is leaving the company “to pursue other opportunities.” Davis’ exit date coincides with Batey’s.

Gerald Johnson, GM’s vice president of North American manufacturing and labor relations, will take over in Davis’ role.

Speaking to Automotive News, a GM spokesperson said the departures have nothing to do with the company’s plan to cull its executive roster by 25 percent.

[Image: General Motors]