Our mission
The mission of the GM Executive Alumni Club of Michigan is to provide social interaction and comaraderie among GM executive alumni and retirees; help members stay connected with GM and GM colleagues; support executive alumni and retirees in staying current on the automotive industry and related issues; and help members maintain advocacy for GM.
our history
The Club was formed in the mid-1960s as a social organization for GM officers and senior executive retirees. In the early days membership was by invitation only. Members were required to be GM Building “Executive Dining Room Level” and Greenbrier attendees (an annual strategy meeting for GM VPs and above) during their GM tenure. The group was known as The Club to provide the privacy of members who tended to be high profile during their GM careers.
Over time the decision was made to open membership to all GM unclassified retirees. The name was changed to GM Detroit Executive Retiree Club to better reflect the expanded membership. In 2022 the club was rebranded the GM Executive Alumni Club of Michigan to reflect changing career paths which often lead to post-GM careers that may or may not be preceded by a GM retirement. In 2019 membership was further expanded to include 9th and 10th level alumni and retirees since they served in an executive capacity during their GM careers.
Bill Larson served as president during the expansion to include all GM executive retirees. During this era the tradition of inviting guest speakers began on an occasional basis. In 2004 Bob Hill became president and speakers became a regular part of the meeting. In 2011 Vince Bandurski assumed the presidency and served for an impressive 12 years. Fred Devendorf took over as president in 2023 for a four year term. While the primary mission of the club remains social, speakers have become an important part of our meetings to help our members stay current on the changing automotive industry and related business issues.
Since its formation the Club has met monthly except in February when many members travel to warmer locations. Over the years, the meeting location has varied, but the primary location has been the Bloomfield Hills Country Club and continues to be our meeting location for most of the year.
Over time the decision was made to open membership to all GM unclassified retirees. The name was changed to GM Detroit Executive Retiree Club to better reflect the expanded membership. In 2022 the club was rebranded the GM Executive Alumni Club of Michigan to reflect changing career paths which often lead to post-GM careers that may or may not be preceded by a GM retirement. In 2019 membership was further expanded to include 9th and 10th level alumni and retirees since they served in an executive capacity during their GM careers.
Bill Larson served as president during the expansion to include all GM executive retirees. During this era the tradition of inviting guest speakers began on an occasional basis. In 2004 Bob Hill became president and speakers became a regular part of the meeting. In 2011 Vince Bandurski assumed the presidency and served for an impressive 12 years. Fred Devendorf took over as president in 2023 for a four year term. While the primary mission of the club remains social, speakers have become an important part of our meetings to help our members stay current on the changing automotive industry and related business issues.
Since its formation the Club has met monthly except in February when many members travel to warmer locations. Over the years, the meeting location has varied, but the primary location has been the Bloomfield Hills Country Club and continues to be our meeting location for most of the year.