Jeff Boyer is named to the newly created GM position of Vice President, Global Vehicle Safety because of the ongoing fallout from the defective ignitions switch and failed airbag controversy that caused needless deaths.
Boyer, a GM lifer who has spent nearly 40 years in engineering and safety positions at GM, now has global responsibility for the safety development of GM vehicle systems, confirmation and validation of safety performance, as well as post-sale safety activities, including recalls.
The now notorious ignition switch recall of February 2014 first saw GM first a safety defect existed, and then issue a recall as well as an apology, and then expand the recall to cover more cars. The largest automaker in the U.S. knew of the problem back in 2004. GM is under investigation by Congress, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Department of Justice.
Boyer, 58, reports to John Calabrese, Vice President of Global Vehicle Engineering and becomes a member of Global Product Development staff, led by Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. Both Reuss and Mary Barra, GM’s new CEO were in senior management positions during the ignition switch cover-up. GM claims Barra only learned of the problem in December of 2013, a retraction of previous statements that she was unaware of the issue until shortly before the recall.
Boyer began his GM career in 1974, as a co-op student and held engineering, safety and process positions, including the role of a total vehicle integration engineer. His most recent position – since 2011 – was Executive Director of Engineering Operations and Systems Development. Before that, Boyer served as Executive Director of Global Interior Engineering and Safety Performance where he was responsible for the performance and certification of GM vehicle safety and crashworthiness. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University and a Masters of Business Administration from Michigan State University.
