GM Executives Elected to National Academy of Engineering

DETROIT, Feb. 13, 2006 -- Two General Motors Corp. executives have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Gary Cowger, group vice president of global manufacturing and labor relations, and Alan Taub, executive director of research and development, were among 76 new members and nine foreign associates who were elected from a field of more than 1,200 candidates on Friday in Washington.

Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education, and to the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology. It also honors those who have made major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or have developed or implemented innovative approaches to engineering education.

Cowger, a veteran GM manufacturing executive, was recognized for his contributions to the GM Global Manufacturing System, which has dramatically improved flexibility, quality, and productivity in automotive manufacturing.

Taub, who oversees GM's seven science laboratories, was cited for his contributions to the development of innovative electrical materials and automotive technologies, and for his leadership in the globalization of automotive research.

Cowger began his GM career in 1965 at the Kansas City, Kan., assembly plant as a co-op student for General Motors Institute, now known as Kettering University. Before his current position, he had been president of GM North America from 2001, and he previously was chairman and managing director of Adam Opel AG in Germany, and managing director of GM de Mexico. Cowger has a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from GMI and a master of science degree in management from MIT.

Taub joined GM in January 2001 as executive director of science laboratories for research and development. He has earned 26 patents and authored more than 60 technical papers. Taub has a bachelor's degree in materials engineering from Brown University. He also has master's and doctorate degrees in applied physics from Harvard University.

Founded in 1964, the National Academy of Engineering is a private, independent, non-profit institution, and a member of the National Academies. It is an adviser to the federal government and conducts independent research in engineering and technology.

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. More information on GM can be found at http://www.gm.com/ .

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