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McLernon Announces Retirement from American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

31 October 1997

McLernon Announces Retirement from American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

    DETROIT, Oct. 31 -- James W. McLernon has announced he will
retire from his position as Chairman of the American Axle & Manufacturing,
Inc. Board of Directors, effective November 1.
    "After a long and outstanding career in the automotive industry, Jim has
chosen to pursue this change, which will enable him to spend more time with
his wife, five children, many grandchildren, and friends." said Richard E.
Dauch, AAM President & CEO.
    In 1993, McLernon made contact with General Motors Corporation concerning
the sale of its final drive and forge unit, and the unit's five manufacturing
plants became AAM on March 1 of the following year.  Under his chairmanship,
AAM was structured as a privately held corporation, owned by shareholders
Dauch, Morton E. Harris, and Raymond P. Park.  In 1996, the young company
exceeded $2 billion in revenues.
    "We have accomplished what we set out to do when we purchased the final
drive plants," said McLernon.  "We have a world-class organization with
competent management and dedicated associates at every level of employment."
    A native of Buffalo, New York, McLernon began his 48-year career in the
automotive industry as an hourly worker at the GM Tonawanda, New York Engine
Plant.  He rose rapidly through the ranks and became general manufacturing
manager of the Chevrolet Division in 1968, directing operations of a 32-plant
network.
    Through the late '70s and into the early '80s, McLernon served as
president of Volkswagen Manufacturing Corporation of America (the first
foreign-owned automotive manufacturer in the United States), president and
chief executive officer of Volkswagen of America, and chairman of Volkswagen
of Canada.  In these roles, he was responsible for the sales, marketing and
manufacturing of Volkswagen products in America, as well as distribution of
Porsche and Audi automobiles.
    In the mid-80s, as executive vice president at Creative Industries Group,
Inc., a privately held engineering company, McLernon increased sales to
automotive and aerospace customers from $55 million to over $100 million
before the company was acquired by Masco Industries in 1987.  During the late
1980s and into the 1990s, McLernon was chairman of South Charleston Stamping
and Manufacturing, a wholly owned subsidiary of Park Corporation that later
became a subsidiary of Checker Motors Holding.
    "I intend to devote my time to family and friends," he said, "and also to
charitable organizations, especially the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, with
whom I have worked for the past 30 years."
    "As a leader of both foreign and domestic automotive manufacturers, Jim
has helped shape tile industry as we know it today," said Dauch.  "Jim is a
long-time friend and has mentored many in the automotive industry.  We wish
him the best with his retirement."

SOURCE  American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.