ED WELBURN, former executive director in charge of body-on-frame architecture for General Motors design, is now vice president of design for North America, making him the first Black person and only the sixth design leader in General Motors' 95-year history. In his new position, the 30-year design veteran who has overseen the design of the Chevrolet Cheyenne (pictured), Cadillac Escalade, Hummer H2, Cadillac CTS, Pontiac Vibe and the Chevy SSR, is responsible for the day-to-day management of GM Design and oversight of GM's Global Design Council. He is also a member of the GM North America Strategy Board. The 52-year-old Philadelphia native began his career at GM in 1972 as an associate designer in the advanced design studios and has held various positions at Oldsmobile, Saturn and Opel. In 1998, after performing duties in Europe, Welburn returned to the U.S. and was named director of GM's new Corporate Brand Center, where he was responsible for developing concept and production vehicles, including new types of vehicles for GM's automotive brands around the globe. Welburn received a bachelor's degree in 1972 from the college of Fine Arts at Howard University, where he studied product design and sculpture. He and his wife, Rhonda, live in Detroit and have two adult children.

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