Meeting Highlights
january 2025

Marketea Abbott, Program Coordinator for the GM Student Corps, was our January guest speaker. She provided an engaging introduction to the GM Student Corps, a program launched in 2013 to partner with high schools in Detroit and Flint. The program's mission is to empower students to earn, learn, and lead.
In the Student Corps, teams consist of high school students, college interns, and GM retirees. These teams collaborate to select and execute projects that make a meaningful impact on their schools and communities. Through the program, students gain valuable skills in project planning, budgeting, and leadership while benefiting from the mentorship of GM retirees.
Marketea also facilitated a panel discussion featuring two former Student Corps participants, Kimberly Rivera and Amran Eltobah, along with Lewis Cole, a retired GM executive who serves as the Lead Student Corps Retiree.
Kimberly Rivera is currently pursuing a Master of Management degree at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, while Amran Eltobah is a college intern working as a Manufacturing Engineer at GM. Both Kimberly and Amran shared their experiences in the program, highlighting how it fostered personal development and community improvement. Lewis Cole provided additional insights, emphasizing the value of mentoring and collaboration within the program.
If you are a GM retiree interested in volunteering for the GM Student Corps program, please use the following link to submit your name:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuaI0evWZvi8A5TY2p9HwGFEhodn4w9_RR5E-fGd3ecJwRaQ/viewform?usp=sharing
In the Student Corps, teams consist of high school students, college interns, and GM retirees. These teams collaborate to select and execute projects that make a meaningful impact on their schools and communities. Through the program, students gain valuable skills in project planning, budgeting, and leadership while benefiting from the mentorship of GM retirees.
Marketea also facilitated a panel discussion featuring two former Student Corps participants, Kimberly Rivera and Amran Eltobah, along with Lewis Cole, a retired GM executive who serves as the Lead Student Corps Retiree.
Kimberly Rivera is currently pursuing a Master of Management degree at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, while Amran Eltobah is a college intern working as a Manufacturing Engineer at GM. Both Kimberly and Amran shared their experiences in the program, highlighting how it fostered personal development and community improvement. Lewis Cole provided additional insights, emphasizing the value of mentoring and collaboration within the program.
If you are a GM retiree interested in volunteering for the GM Student Corps program, please use the following link to submit your name:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuaI0evWZvi8A5TY2p9HwGFEhodn4w9_RR5E-fGd3ecJwRaQ/viewform?usp=sharing
december 2024

The 2024 meeting schedule was capped off with Bob Lutz, retired GM Vice Chairman of Product Development, as the featured speaker. Bob shared his always insightful perspective about auto industry transition to electric vehicles, competition in different parts of the world, and how GM is positioned to compete in North America and China Bob shared that a post carbon economy, while possible, will likely happen slower than expected and will require continued innovation to become real. Bob believes GM is well positioned to compete in the changing global marketplace.
The meeting was well attended and included several recently retired GM Executives as new members.
The meeting was well attended and included several recently retired GM Executives as new members.
november 2024
Members enjoyed a lively session with R. J. King, who is editor of DBusiness magazine, DBusiness Daily News, Tech and Mobility News, Detroit 500, and Michigan Makers, all of which cover companies in metro Detroit and Michigan that are expanding locally, nationally, and internationally.
R. J. is the author of four books — “Detroit: Engine of America,” a gold medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards, “8 Track: The First Mobile App,” “Passport to the Corner Office: The Starter’s Guide to Corporate Life,” and “Mystical.”
In his presentation, R.J. shared his motivation for writing a book about Detroit's history. He provided an engaging summary of the book, offering a fascinating overview of Detroit's history from its founding through the early 20th century, enriched with numerous anecdotes. One particularly interesting anecdote related how the University of Michigan relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor after Ann Arbor failed in its bid to become Michigan's capital, prompting the city to focus on attracting the university instead.
Several members took advantage of the opportunity to take home a signed copy of R. J.’s book.
R. J. is the author of four books — “Detroit: Engine of America,” a gold medal recipient of the Midwest Book Awards, “8 Track: The First Mobile App,” “Passport to the Corner Office: The Starter’s Guide to Corporate Life,” and “Mystical.”
In his presentation, R.J. shared his motivation for writing a book about Detroit's history. He provided an engaging summary of the book, offering a fascinating overview of Detroit's history from its founding through the early 20th century, enriched with numerous anecdotes. One particularly interesting anecdote related how the University of Michigan relocated from Detroit to Ann Arbor after Ann Arbor failed in its bid to become Michigan's capital, prompting the city to focus on attracting the university instead.
Several members took advantage of the opportunity to take home a signed copy of R. J.’s book.
october 2024
We had the privilege of not one, not two, but THREE speakers at the October lunch. In a panel discussion, Julie Beamer, Lisa Beck, and Scott Sandefur shared their leadership journey from for-profit to non-profit organizations.
We learned that some things are the same: the need to motivate people, whether paid employees or volunteers, the need to manage resources – cash is king, and value of using lean principles in daily operations.
As COO of Gleaners, Julie Beamer also shared how she leveraged wisdom from Nick Pudar and Mickey Bly to massively expand the availability of fresh milk through Gleaners’ distributions, and to define aspects of the under-construction Fresh! market concept that re-defines the guest experience, adding more choice and availability in a way that respects the dignity of every guest. You may learn more here: www.gcfb.org
Lisa Beck has expanded her role with the American Cancer Society and shared how that organization serves their community by leveraging volunteers effectively to drive donations toward programming. The work of managing volunteers shares some aspects of people leadership from her prior GM roles yet must recognize the different motivation of volunteers. You may learn more here: Making Strides of Detroit Presented by Chevrolet: Lisa Beck | (acsevents.org)
As Chair of the Board for Focus Hope, Scott Sandefur, uses his skills from manufacturing to bring people together to heal our community from the trauma of racism. Focus Hope provides community support at many points in a person’s life – from early childhood programs, to job training, to food for seniors. GM has been a strong partner with Focus Hope, both in leadership roles held by Lloyd and now Mark Reuss, and as an employer of graduates from the program. You may learn more here: Home | Focus: HOPE (focushope.edu)
We learned that some things are the same: the need to motivate people, whether paid employees or volunteers, the need to manage resources – cash is king, and value of using lean principles in daily operations.
As COO of Gleaners, Julie Beamer also shared how she leveraged wisdom from Nick Pudar and Mickey Bly to massively expand the availability of fresh milk through Gleaners’ distributions, and to define aspects of the under-construction Fresh! market concept that re-defines the guest experience, adding more choice and availability in a way that respects the dignity of every guest. You may learn more here: www.gcfb.org
Lisa Beck has expanded her role with the American Cancer Society and shared how that organization serves their community by leveraging volunteers effectively to drive donations toward programming. The work of managing volunteers shares some aspects of people leadership from her prior GM roles yet must recognize the different motivation of volunteers. You may learn more here: Making Strides of Detroit Presented by Chevrolet: Lisa Beck | (acsevents.org)
As Chair of the Board for Focus Hope, Scott Sandefur, uses his skills from manufacturing to bring people together to heal our community from the trauma of racism. Focus Hope provides community support at many points in a person’s life – from early childhood programs, to job training, to food for seniors. GM has been a strong partner with Focus Hope, both in leadership roles held by Lloyd and now Mark Reuss, and as an employer of graduates from the program. You may learn more here: Home | Focus: HOPE (focushope.edu)
September 2024
We took a moment of silence commemorating the victims and heroes of the September 11th attacks. Thank you, Bob Muiter for the material, and Fred Devendorf, for leading us in reflection.
We were honored to welcome Terry Rhadigan, Chairman, Detroit Sports Organizing Corporation, and Retired GM Vice President, Global Communications and Corporate Giving as our newest member and Guest Speaker.
Terry brought us along with him on the “On the Clock” journey that led to an incredibly powerful NFL draft event in Detroit, with these record-shattering results:
We were honored to welcome Terry Rhadigan, Chairman, Detroit Sports Organizing Corporation, and Retired GM Vice President, Global Communications and Corporate Giving as our newest member and Guest Speaker.
Terry brought us along with him on the “On the Clock” journey that led to an incredibly powerful NFL draft event in Detroit, with these record-shattering results:
- 775,000 in person attendees
- 53.6 million viewers
- Engagement of 60 local companies as service providers and 1200 paid ambassadors
- 90 food trucks, and 135 small business exhibitors
- Best photo ever with Thomas James Kenney and William Fagerbakke, who left the "pineapple under the sea" to pose with Terry
August 2024
We had a great road trip to celebrate the end of summer and prepare for the Dream Cruise!!! We visited Terry Connolly at the just-opened Pontiac Transportation Museum. Pontiac has hosted wheeled vehicle companies for over 170 years, with over 40 manufacturers developing and building products in Pontiac. We learned about the history of Pontiac which, when it was incorporated, was the largest inland city in Michigan, and was a center of innovation in the US.
Did you know…
Did you know…
- ...65% of the motorhomes built by GMC 50 years ago are still on the road?
- …what a Whizzer was?
- …what General Patton called the “true hero of World War II?”
- …the true origin of the GMC name?
JUly 2024
Sandor Piszar, Vice President for GM Envolve, was the guest speaker at the July 10, 2024 meeting. Sandor explained how GM Envolve is transforming GM’s Commercial business by providing a one-stop solution offering business customers more ways to reduce their environmental impact, streamline fleet operations and increase driver safety. Sandor shared insights on the evolving sales mix in the commercial market and how EV sales complement and enable ongoing ICE vehicle sales in this market.
To learn more about GM Envolve, visit their website at www.gmenvolve.com. |
June 2024
At the June 12, 2024 meeting, Steve Kiefer, Chairman of the Kiefer Foundation and Retired GM Senior Vice President, was our guest speaker. Steve provided presented insightful distracted driving accident statistics and an overview of his work with the Kiefer Foundation to make driving safer. Through education and a mission to enact hands free driving legislation across all fifty states, the Kiefer Foundation is reducing accidents caused by distracted driving. In addition to the interesting presentation and delicious meal, we were able to visit with several colleagues who are in Michigan for the summer months.
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December 2023

We had a great meeting on December 13, 2023 with the highest attendance since the world changed in 2020! Our speaker was Andy Norton, Executive Director of Global Marketing Research at General Motors who delivered a great presentation about customer acceptance of EVs. We introduced two new members, Sarah Cohen from Product Development and Joe Ryan from Purchasing and Supply Chain. We also recognized the amazing staff at the Bloomfield Hills Country Club with gift cards to show our appreciation for the great service they give us throughout the year. 2023 was a great year for the GM Executive Alumni Club of Michigan with time together with good friends, good food, great speakers and many new members. We look forward to a great 2024!