OREANDA-NEWS. Stephen K. Carlisle has been named president and managing director of General Motors of Canada Ltd., succeeding Kevin W. Williams, who has led GM Canada since 2010. Williams will assist in the transition through the end of the year.

Williams has elected to retire from General Motors, effective Dec. 31, 2014. Williams joined GM in 1983, holding progressively more senior roles in manufacturing, supplier quality and development, purchasing and service and parts operations in multiple locations around the globe including Canada, Mexico, Germany, and the United States.

Immediately prior to his Canada assignment, Williams served as vice president and general manager, Service and Parts Operations, where he led all GM's global aftersales businesses. Williams also served as president and managing director of GM de Mexico; GM North America vice president of Quality and Global Quality Process Leader; and global executive director, Supplier Quality, Development and Supplier Diversity.

"I'd like to thank Kevin for his leadership and significant contributions throughout a long and distinguished career with GM," said Mary Barra, GM CEO. "In his most recent assignment, Kevin helped rebuild GM Canada after one of our most challenging periods and has established a solid foundation for growth into the future."

In his new role, Carlisle will report to Alan Batey, president, GM North America. Carlisle most recently served as the vice president of Global Product Planning and Program Management based in the United States. Previously, he held positions as vice president, U.S. sales operations, responsible for dealer network, retail sales support and fleet and commercial; as well as president and managing director, GM South East Asia Operations, in addition to leadership positions in Singapore and China.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to return to Canada and build on the winning foundation established by Kevin and the team over the past four years," said Carlisle. "Having worked intensely on GM's world-leading new products and technology strategies, I am excited to bring my enthusiasm and product focus to Canada. I look forward to working with our employees, dealers and other key stakeholders to continue to build an organization that puts the customer at the center of everything we do."