| Frederick Henderson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frederick A. Henderson November 29, 1958 Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan Harvard Business School |
| Occupation | SVP, Sunoco, Inc., Chairman, CEO SunCoke Energy |
| Predecessor | Rick Wagoner |
| Successor | Edward Whitacre, Jr. |
| Spouse | Karen Lucht Henderson |
| Children | Sarah, Emily |
Frederick Arthur "Fritz" Henderson (born November 29, 1958) was President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. Prior to his appointment as CEO on March 31, 2009, Henderson was the Vice President of General Motors and has been with the company since 1984. Frederick Henderson resigned as the CEO of General Motors on December 1, 2009.
He replaced Rick Wagoner as CEO of GM when Wagoner stepped down at the request of President Barack Obama[1] in relation to the General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization after serving in that position for eight years. Henderson assumed the new position on March 31, 2009.[2] Regarding the appointment, Wagoner said: “Having worked closely with Fritz for many years, I know that he is the ideal person to lead the company through the completion of our restructuring efforts. His knowledge of the global industry and the company are exceptional, and he has the intellect, energy, and support among GM’ers worldwide to succeed.”[3] Henderson announced that “over the next 60 days, we will work around the clock, with all parties, to meet the aggressive requirements that have been set by the Task Force, and to make the fundamental and lasting changes necessary to reinvent GM for the long-term.”[4]
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Henderson was born in Detroit, Michigan. Henderson is a 1976 graduate of Lake Orion High School in Lake Orion, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. During his time at Michigan, Henderson pitched for the University of Michigan Wolverines baseball team.
Since joining General Motors in 1984, he held a number of positions with the company until 1992 when he became GMAC group vice president of finance in Detroit.
From 1997 to 2000, Henderson became GM vice president and managing director of GM do Brasil covering GM operations in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Here he was successful in introducing small, inexpensive cars such as the Celta subcompact and the Meriva microvan, both produced in Brazil.[5]
In June 2000, he was appointed group vice president and president of GM-LAAM (Latin America, Africa and Middle East) and in January 2002, he moved to Singapore as president of GM Asia Pacific where he was successful in expanding operations in Korea and China.[6][7]
In 2004, Henderson was appointed chairman of GM Europe, based in Zurich, Switzerland, where he undertook substantial restructuring including significant reductions in jobs.[8]
After becoming vice chairman and chief financial officer in January 2006, in March 2009, he became GM president and chief operating officer.[9] At the time, the Financial Times quoted him as saying: “Being part of a turnround at GM when, frankly, many people don’t think it can be done, is exhilarating, if you like challenges. I have never had a dull day in my time at GM.”[10]
When GM exited bankruptcy, Henderson said, "This is an exciting day for General Motors, one that will allow every employee, including me, to get back to the business of designing, building and selling great cars and trucks and serving the needs of our customers. We deeply appreciate the support we've received. We'll work hard to repay the trust, and the money, that so many have invested in GM."[11]
On December 1, 2009, Fritz Henderson resigned from General Motors as CEO and was replaced by board Chairman Edward Whitacre, Jr., former head of AT&T Inc. who will temporarily take over as CEO while a global search for a new permanent replacement is conducted. January 25, 2010 Ed Whitacre announces he will become the permanent CEO while keeping his current chairman of board of directors role.
On February 19, 2010, GM announced that Henderson would serve as a consultant on their international operations, to be paid $709,080 per year.[12]
On Thursday September 2, 2010, Sunoco, Inc. announced that Henderson would join the company as senior vice president, and will lead the company's SunCoke Energy unit as chairman and CEO when it is spun off in 2011.[13]
Henderson is married to wife Karen Henderson and has two daughters, Sarah and Emily Henderson.[5]
| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rick Wagoner |
President of General Motors 2009 |
Vacant |
| Chief Executive Officer of General Motors 2009 |
Succeeded by Edward Whitacre, Jr. Interim |
|