PRESS RELEASE
Oldsmobile Announces New General Sales and Service Manager
27 February 1997
Oldsmobile Announces New General Sales and Service Manager
LANSING, Mich., Feb. 27 -- Oldsmobile General Manager
Darwin E. Clark announced the appointment of William E. Powell as Oldsmobile
general sales and service manager succeeding William A. Farmer who was
appointed to a new position at GM's North American Vehicle Sales, Service and
Marketing.
Powell was the general manager of Dealer Network Investment and Development
for GM's North American Operations. "Bill Powell is the consummate
professional with great people and sales skills and a very deep understanding
of the retail side of our business. I have worked with Bill for a good number
of years at Buick, so I know he will be a great addition to the Oldsmobile
team," Clark said.
William Farmer will lead a short-term special task group on dealer issues.
The team will consist of representatives from GM's Dealer Network, Investment
and Development Group; Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing Groups and other
corporate and NAO staffs. Farmer will report to Ronald L. Zarella, General
Motors vice president and group executive, North American Vehicle Sales and
Service. "Bill Farmer's contribution to Oldsmobile has been outstanding,"
Clark said. "As a key member of the executive team responsible for planning
and executing the Oldsmobile repositioning, he made significant contributions
as finance director and later general sales and service manager. His skills
and understanding of the business allowed him to do an exceptional job in both
disciplines," Clark added.
Both appointments are effective on March 1.
Powell joined GM in the sales department of the Buick Motor Division in
1977, and was an assistant general sales manager when he was appointed a
general manager of Motors Holding in February 1992. Subsequently, Powell was
responsible for Minority Dealer Development, Motors Holding and Dealer Network
Development, until being named to the Oldsmobile position.
Farmer joined GM in 1977, on the corporate Financial Staff and served in
several posts, including manager of finance & business planning for the
Lansing Automotive Division. He joined Oldsmobile in 1990, as divisional
finance director and was appointed to his most recent position in August 1995.
SOURCE Oldsmobile
CONTACT: Pete Ternes, 517-377-6287, or Gus Buenz, 517-377-4430, both of Oldsmobile
Division