GM Revamps Information Technology for Growth

Today, General Motors announced the immediate restructuring of its Information Technology function into two groups. One is a Digital Business Software team; the other is a Global IT organization. GM said it’s to allow software-enabled services revenue to increase to $20-25 billion annually by 2030. (Connected Cars – GM Debuts Ultifi for Saleable APPs, Services to Buyers, GM’s Dual Platform Strategy – Doubling Revenues by 2030?)

Stacy Lynett is appointed vice president of Digital Business Software, reporting to Chief Digital Officer Edward Kummer, who assumed his role Oct. 16. Lynett will lead a newly formed and growing team responsible for technology strategy and software product development for customers. Lynett’s role will also expand to support global customer and dealer systems as a member of North America President Steve Carlisle’s leadership team.

Fred Killeen is named vice president of Global Information Technology and chief information officer, reporting to GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra.  Killeen will lead the Global IT team, responsible for enabling IT assets and solutions across the enterprise in support of GM’s overall global business. Previously, both Lynett and Killeen reported to Executive Vice President and CIO Randy Mott, whose retirement was announced Nov. 2.

Killeen’s team will focus on global back-office IT support, or how software enables the business. With Lynett’s team, software is the business, including technology strategy and software product development to deliver enhanced experiences, products and services for customers. Both teams will continue to collaborate on driving innovation, providing the best software and technology solutions to support the company, attracting and retaining talent, professional development, and more.

Killeen previously served as chief information security officer and chief technology officer, GM IT, responsible for Global Information Security and IT Risk Management programs. He joined GM in March 2001 as director of systems integration for Global Product Development and was appointed to the role of director, Systems Development Factory, in December 2003. Killeen has served as CTO for GM IT since 2005. In January 2018, Killeen was also appointed the role of chief information security officer.

Before joining GM, Killeen held a variety of technical positions during 16 years with Hewlett-Packard. Prior to Hewlett-Packard, he was a software developer at Motorola. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and is on the Advisory Board for the Oakland University School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Lynett previously was executive director and CIO of Global Product Development & Quality, GM IT, and CIO for Global Corporate Function, focusing supporting Legal and Communications IT “solutions.” She also had CIO roles supporting GM IT Global Operations and Enterprise SAP Development and Delivery organizations.

Before joining GM, she served at ABN AMRO Bank, CIT and Ernst & Young. Lynett graduated from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame with a major in mathematics and has a Master of Science in Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon.

“The new structure and dual operating model will enable GM to fully leverage its strong foundation in IT capability, talent and resources, as well as reduce complexity and improve speed,” Barra said. “Stacy and Fred bring unique backgrounds and experiences to help us seize the opportunities software plays in our business as we move from automaker to platform innovator.”

AutoInformed.com on

About Ken Zino

Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
This entry was posted in connected vehicles, electric vehicles, electronics, marketing, mobility company and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to GM Revamps Information Technology for Growth

  1. Pingback: Autonomous – GM Ups Stake in Cruise and Buys out Softbank | AutoInformed

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *