GM Names Mary Bara as New CEO, Making Her the First Female CEO at a Major Automaker

Photo from Forbes

Announced Today - General Motors global product chief Mary Barra has been named the new CEO.

Barra will take over on January 15 from Dan Akerson, who has been CEO and chairman of the GM board since September 1, 2010.

When Barra takes over, she'll be the first woman to hold the top job at a major automaker.

There has been a lot of media coverage of the announcement and here are a few great things we've learned about Barra so far:

• She's a women in STEM!  Barra has a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Kettering University.

• Barra's father worked for 39 years as a GM diemaker and Barra herself started at the company at age 18 as an intern.
• Barra has held many different positions at GM from leading a manufacturing plant to internal communications, to human resources and product development, but is described as a "car guy" with a focus on excellence in cars and trucks.

• She balances her work responsibilities with her role as a mom to two teenage children - a son and daughter.

We couldn't be more excited for Mary Barra.  We'll be cheering for her come January!