General Motors Employees Shine at 2025 Automotive News Awards
The automotive industry is no stranger to recognition season, but 2025 has been a standout year for General Motors (GM). At the prestigious Automotive News World Congress, four GM employees were honored for their innovation, leadership, and transformative contributions to the company and the broader auto industry. These awards highlight not just technical skill but also the creativity, dedication, and forward-thinking mindset that drive GM’s continued success in an era of rapid change. Here’s a closer look at the award recipients and the achievements that earned them these accolades.
Theo Lavergne: 2025 Automotive News Rising Star
Theo Lavergne, plant executive director at GM’s Flint Assembly, has earned the 2025 Automotive News Rising Star award for his exceptional leadership in manufacturing operations. Flint Assembly, located in Flint, Michigan, is one of GM’s flagship facilities, producing the heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickup trucks. Under Lavergne’s guidance, the plant recently underwent a significant upgrade to its electrical architecture—a complex project completed without interrupting production, a feat that demonstrates his meticulous planning and operational expertise.
Lavergne’s career at GM spans over 20 years, beginning as a college intern, and his progression to plant executive director reflects a deep understanding of both the company and its workforce. According to Automotive News, Lavergne has increased production efficiency at Flint Assembly by approximately 9%, enabling the plant to deliver heavy-duty pickup trucks faster without compromising quality. His approach emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, putting trust in the capabilities of his team. “We have to be the best at building,” Lavergne explained. “For me, it’s doubled down on my belief in people, and being rooted in people and their abilities when we come together collectively and work for one common goal.”
The Rising Star award recognizes Lavergne’s ability to balance technical execution with people-centered leadership, illustrating how operational excellence and workforce engagement can go hand-in-hand to drive measurable results.
Grace Kerber: 2025 Automotive News All-Star
Grace Kerber, a content creator on GM’s Brand Social team, has become a standout figure in automotive marketing, earning the 2025 Automotive News All-Star award. Kerber initially gained recognition in 2024 while working at Mohawk Chevrolet in upstate New York, where she launched a humorous TikTok series that drew inspiration from the television sitcom The Office. The series, which often featured playful commentary on dealership life, quickly captured the attention of viewers online. Her viral video “Mohawk Goes to Corporate,” which included a cameo by GM CEO Mary Barra, became a cultural touchpoint and foreshadowed her future at GM.
Following her success at Mohawk, Kerber joined GM full-time to develop content across Chevy, Cadillac, GMC, and Buick brands. Her role focuses on storytelling and creating engaging digital experiences that resonate with a wide audience. In sharing the All-Star award with her former colleague Ben Bushen, Kerber credited teamwork and spontaneity for the series’ success. “We had no expectations of this blowing up or going past the local community,” she told Automotive News.
Kerber’s recognition underscores the growing importance of social media in automotive marketing. Her creative approach has helped GM connect with younger audiences while showcasing the brand’s personality in a fun and relatable way. By combining humor, authenticity, and storytelling, Kerber demonstrates how content creation can become a powerful tool for brand building in the digital era.
Adam Rodriguez: 2025 Automotive News All-Star
Adam Rodriguez, executive director of product and autonomous vehicles (AV), also received an Automotive News All-Star award, highlighting his role in shaping GM’s autonomous driving strategy. Rodriguez leads a team that spans active safety systems, the hands-free Super Cruise driver assistance technology, and the development of next-generation autonomous vehicles.
Rodriguez’s career path is unconventional yet impressive. Before joining GM in 2024, he worked at Google, where he helped invent the USB-C connector, and contributed to a nonprofit in Cambodia building solar-powered electric systems. However, his passion for vehicles has been a consistent theme throughout his career. Rodriguez studied mechanical engineering at Stanford University, where he famously disassembled and reassembled a Corvette LS1 V-8 engine as part of a class project. Later, at Google’s Waymo division, he focused on self-driving technology, gaining expertise that he now applies to GM’s AV initiatives.
“This is where I want to be, actually building vehicles,” Rodriguez told Automotive News. “I get to sit in meetings [and] talk about what’s happening on new cars [….] It’s a happy place to be.” His award recognizes not only his technical acumen but also his leadership in integrating advanced technologies into vehicles that will redefine the future of mobility. Under Rodriguez’s guidance, GM continues to advance autonomous systems that improve safety, convenience, and user experience, signaling a critical step toward higher levels of vehicle autonomy.
Mary Barra: Automotive News Centennial Award
In a historic moment for the 2025 Automotive News World Congress, GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra received the Centennial Award, created to commemorate Automotive News’ 100th anniversary. The award honors extraordinary individuals whose vision, leadership, and innovation have had a lasting impact on the automotive industry.
Barra’s tenure at GM has been defined by strategic foresight, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to transforming the company. Under her leadership, GM has navigated major industry disruptions, from the transition to electric vehicles to the integration of advanced driver-assistance systems. Her efforts have consistently focused on long-term value creation, operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation across all levels of the company.
“Whatever hardship or challenge in a very challenging business — arguably one of the most challenging in the world — we always were aligned around creating opportunities out of that, instead of playing defense,” GM President Mark Reuss told Automotive News. “And people don’t talk about that enough. That’s a defining characteristic of her.”
Barra’s recognition reflects both her personal achievements and the broader impact of her leadership on GM’s global operations. The Centennial Award not only honors her ability to guide the company through change but also acknowledges her role as a trailblazer for women in the automotive industry, inspiring the next generation of leaders.
Celebrating Leadership, Innovation, and Impact
The 2025 Automotive News awards demonstrate the depth and diversity of talent at General Motors. From plant leadership and operational excellence to social media storytelling and cutting-edge autonomous vehicle development, GM employees are making an impact across the entire automotive ecosystem. The recognition of Lavergne, Kerber, Rodriguez, and Barra underscores how innovation, people-centered leadership, and strategic vision are driving the company forward.
In an industry undergoing unprecedented transformation, these awards highlight the importance of nurturing talent and encouraging creativity at every level. For GM, the accolades not only celebrate individual achievements but also reinforce the company’s commitment to advancing technology, improving manufacturing processes, and connecting with consumers in new and meaningful ways.
As GM continues to push boundaries—from the assembly line in Flint to autonomous vehicle development and digital content creation—the 2025 Automotive News awards serve as a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of its people. Each recipient exemplifies how passion, vision, and hard work can transform challenges into opportunities and set new standards for the automotive industry.
With a focus on innovation and leadership, GM’s recognition at the 2025 Automotive News World Congress signals a bright future for both the company and the industry at large. As these award-winning employees continue to shape the company’s trajectory, their achievements provide a blueprint for excellence that others in the industry can follow. Whether it’s producing vehicles more efficiently, creating content that resonates with audiences, or pioneering autonomous technology, GM’s team is redefining what it means to lead in the automotive world.
By celebrating these remarkable contributions, General Motors not only honors individual excellence but also strengthens the culture of innovation and collaboration that has been the cornerstone of its enduring success. The 2025 awards are a clear reminder that leadership, creativity, and vision at GM are more than accolades—they are the driving forces behind a company that continues to shape the future of mobility.
