Rick Wagoner

George Richard "Rick" Wagoner served as president and chief executive officer in June 2000 and was elected chairman on May 1, 2003. As CEO, Wagoner focused on highly profitable but fuel guzzling sport utility vehicles and light trucks.

He joined GM as an analyst in the treasurer's office after his graduation from Harvard. In 1981, he became treasurer of GM's Brazil subsidiary and later served as managing director.

In 1992, he was named GM's chief financial officer, in 1994 he became executive vice president and/or president of North American Operations, and in 1998 he was named president and chief operating officer.

In the Automotive industry crisis of 2008–2009, Wagoner came under renewed pressure as GM sought financial support from the U.S. government in an attempt to turn over the ailing automotive giant.

Wagoner, born in Wilmington, Delaware, grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from John Randolph Tucker High School there, where he was named "Best All Around" student in his graduating class. He received a B.A. in Economics from Duke University in 1975.  He then attended Harvard Business School, from which he received an MBA in 1977. He is married and has three adult sons.

Wagoner is a member of the boards of trustees of Duke University, Detroit Country Day School, the Board of Dean's Advisors of the Harvard Business School, and the Board of Directors of Catalyst. He is a member of The Business Council, The Business Roundtable, Detroit Renaissance Executive Committee, and the Secretary of Energy Advisory Board.