Frederic Garrett Donner (October 4, 1902 – February 28, 1987) was an American chairman and CEO of the General Motors Corporation from September 1, 1958, to October 31, 1967.GM History page . Accessed May 19, 2009.
Frederic G. Donner was born in Three Oaks Michigan, the son of an accountant, on October 4, 1902.FREDERIC G. DONNER, 84, FORMER CHAIRMAN OF G.M.New York Times, 1 March 1987 He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in economics and worked briefly for a Chicago accounting firm.
Career at GM He joined General Motors's New York staff as an accountant in 1926, and worked there for 32 years.Biography. Frederic G. Donner Papers 1921-1983 Finding Aid. Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan. Accessed May 19, 2009.
He became assistant treasurer in 1934 and in 1941, at 38, he became one of the youngest GM executives ever to reach a vice-presidency. In 1956 he was named executive vice president for finance. He served as an officer of General Motors from 1941 until 1958, when he became chairman and chief executive officer. Donner presided over a major reorganization of GM's board of directors to include more representation from outside the corporation. During his tenure GM achieved record sales and profits.
Later career at GM He was at the helm when GM expanded its product line with 12 new passenger cars, including the Nova, Chevelle, Firebird, Century, Riviera, Camaro, Pontiac LeMans, Cutlass, and Eldorado.
Donner was the author of The worldwide industrial enterprise; its challenge and promise.Donner, F. The world-wide industrial enterprise; its challenge and promise. New York: McGraw Hill, 1967.
Donner was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1994.Automotive Hall of Fame page. Accessed May 19, 2009.
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