Steve Harris Rejoins GM as Vice President of Communications

DETROIT - Steve Harris will rejoin GM as vice president of global communications, effective Wednesday, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced today. Current Vice President Tom Kowaleski has resigned, effective March 1.

Harris, who led GM's global communication organization from 1999 through 2003, returns after running a communications consultancy based in Birmingham, Mich.

"We are fortunate that Steve has agreed to leave an active communications consulting practice and return - for a second time - to General Motors," Wagoner said. "Steve has long enjoyed an outstanding reputation in this industry and is one of the top leaders in his profession. I know he will hit the ground running."

Kowaleski, 54, said that while he has enjoyed taking on an "incredible array of challenges and opportunities" in his seven years at GM, he increasingly missed being more deeply involved in the product side of the business, where he invested much of his career.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking over the last months about what gives me the most satisfaction, and provides the highest value to those I work for and with," Kowaleski said. "I've also been presented with some excellent opportunities, and I've concluded that now is the best time to take advantage of them, to get closer to the kind of work I most enjoy."

Kowaleski said he will work with Harris to ensure a smooth transition.

"Tom has helped transform GM Communications into a truly global organization, was dedicated to helping get our turnaround efforts known and understood, and has been a strong advocate for our company during a particularly challenging time in its history," Wagoner said. "I respect his decision to pursue other interests, and wish him much success."

Kowaleski has worked in automotive communications for 26 years, including in the United States and Europe with GM, DaimlerChrysler, American Motors and Renault. He joined GM as executive director of product communications in March 1999, was named vice president of GM North America communications in 2001, and vice president of global communications in 2004.

Before joining GM, Kowaleski served as director of communications strategy for DaimlerChrysler and vice president of marketing and communications for Chrysler Europe. He previously held senior communications positions at Campbell and Co., American Motors and Renault. Kowaleski has a bachelor's degree in communications from Ohio University.

Harris, 60, began his career at GM in 1967 after graduation from the University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He held several positions, including regional public relations posts in Cleveland, Los Angeles and Indianapolis. In 1979, he joined American Motors as director of product public relations.

Harris became Chrysler's director of corporate public relations in November 1987, vice president of communications in January 1998, and senior vice president of communications for DaimlerChrysler in November 1998. He returned to GM as vice president of communications in February 1999 and retired in January 2004.