"I am honored to be receiving this award for doing a job that I enjoy so much,” says Welburn. “I am proud to lead such a creative team that continues designing award-winning cars and trucks that our customers love.”
Welburn was appointed GM vice president, global design, on March 1, 2005. He had been vice president of design, GM North America, since October 1, 2003, when he became only the sixth design leader in GM history. As vice president of global design, Welburn is responsible for interior and exterior design development of all General Motors cars and trucks. He heads a team of over 1,400 men and women operating in 11 design centers in eight countries around the world.
Under his direction, GM has walked away from the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with the coveted 2007 Car and Truck of the Year awards for the Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Silverado, the 2008 Car of the Year award for the Chevrolet Malibu, the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year for Cadillac CTS, and the 2008 Eyes on Design awards for both the CTS-V and CTS Coupe Concept. In addition, AutoWeek named the 2006 Chevrolet Camaro Concept Editors’ Choice Best in Show Award.
Most recently, the Cadillac Converj Concept Car, revealed on January 11, 2009 at the North American International Auto Show won the Eyes on Design Award, AutoWeek’s Best Concept Award as well as the 2009 Detroit News Readers’ Choice Award for Best Concept.
Also under Welburns leadership, GM designed and developed the revolutionary Chevy Volt, the worlds first extended-range electric vehicle whose advanced technology and aerodynamic design enable it to drive up to 40 miles without using a drop of gasoline or producing emissions. The Chevrolet Volt was awarded the North American Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year 2007 and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year at the Automotive Hall of Fame, 2007 MY. In addition, the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid won the 2008 Green Car of the Year award.
Welburn began his General Motors career in 1972 as an associate designer assigned to the Advanced Design Studios and has held several significant leadership positions within the General Motors Design organization since then.
A native of Philadelphia, Welburn was born on December 14, 1950. He received a bachelors degree in 1972 from the College of Fine Arts at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he studied sculpture and product design.
Today, Welburn is General Motors key executive to Howard University and serves on the board of governors at the Cranbrook Institute of Science and on the board of directors of the LeMay Museum.
Welburn has received honors and special recognition from Rainbow PUSH, African Americans on Wheels Magazine, and Black Enterprise magazine. In 2004, he was named the Howard University Alumni of the Year. In May 2008, he received the Man of Excellence Award from the Michigan Chronicle and made the list of The Ebony Power 150: The Most Influential Blacks in America as recognized by Ebony magazine.
