Jill Lajdziak
Encyclopedia
Jill Lajdziak is the former General Manager
of General Motors' Saturn division. In 2005, she was named one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry, along with 19 other GM colleagues, which made GM the most represented company on the list. Jill has two children, one of whom is of legal driving age (16 years old as of an interview posted 8/15/2006) and drives a Saturn Vue
sport utility vehicle. At the beginning of January 2010, Lajdziak was named the President of SmartUSA vehicles. She was appointed to this position by Roger Penske. The Press Release on her new appointment to SmartUSA can be read here:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/penske-appoints-jill-lajdziak-to-run-smart-usa-hoping-to-stem-sa/
, Lajdziak earned her BSc
in business marketing
and management from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in 1979. Her experience includes a position with Elf Aquitaine Norge A/S
, a Norwegian
subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine
. Later, she worked at a GM dealership as sales and service representative.
In 1980, Jill Lajdziak formally joined General Motors, gradually advancing through the following positions (year of appointment given):
In 2004, the position of Saturn was redefined within General Motors, with Saturn losing a seat on GM's board. Jill Lajdziak was appointed General Manager of Saturn, with responsibilities encompassing brand and product development, marketing and supervision of the field organization. This more brand-oriented role of both Lajdziak and Saturn as a GM division put the formerly more independent corporation more in line with other GM North American brands.
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of General Motors' Saturn division. In 2005, she was named one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry, along with 19 other GM colleagues, which made GM the most represented company on the list. Jill has two children, one of whom is of legal driving age (16 years old as of an interview posted 8/15/2006) and drives a Saturn Vue
Saturn VUE
The Saturn Vue is a compact crossover SUV that was sold by General Motors' Saturn marque, and at one time was Saturn's best-selling model. It was the first vehicle to use the GM Theta platform when it was introduced in 2002. A second generation model was launched in 2007 for the 2008 model as a...
sport utility vehicle. At the beginning of January 2010, Lajdziak was named the President of SmartUSA vehicles. She was appointed to this position by Roger Penske. The Press Release on her new appointment to SmartUSA can be read here:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/05/penske-appoints-jill-lajdziak-to-run-smart-usa-hoping-to-stem-sa/
Background
Born in Brillion, WisconsinBrillion, Wisconsin
Brillion is a city in Calumet County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 2,937 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of Brillion, though it is politically independent.-Notable residents:...
, Lajdziak earned her BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in business marketing
Business marketing
Business Marketing is the practice of individuals, or organizations, including commercial businesses, governments and institutions, facilitating the sale of their products or services to other companies or organizations that in turn resell them, use them as components in products or services they...
and management from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay in 1979. Her experience includes a position with Elf Aquitaine Norge A/S
Aksjeselskap
Aksjeselskap is the Norwegian term for a stock-based company. It is usually abbreviated AS or A/S, especially when used in company names. An AS is always a limited company, i.e. the owners cannot be held liable for any debt beyond the stock capital...
, a Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
subsidiary of Elf Aquitaine
Elf Aquitaine
Elf Aquitaine was a French oil company which merged with TotalFina to form TotalFinaElf. The new company changed its name to Total in 2003...
. Later, she worked at a GM dealership as sales and service representative.
In 1980, Jill Lajdziak formally joined General Motors, gradually advancing through the following positions (year of appointment given):
- 1980 - District Sales Manager, Chevrolet Motor DivisionChevroletChevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
- 1983 - Metro District Sales Manager for ChevroletChevroletChevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
- 1984 - Assistant Manager, General Motors
Career with Saturn
Continuing her advancement within General Motors Corporation, Jill Lajdziak joined the newly-founded Saturn Corporation in 1986, playing a vital part in the development of Saturn's retailer network, which was crucial to the brand's success. Her positions included (year of appointment given):- 1986 - Manager of Retailer Selection
- 1987 - Manager of Retailer Network Development
- 1989 - Regional Manager of Central United States
- 1995 (March) - Executive Director of Customer/Retail Operations & Strategies Team
- 1997 - Executive Director of Retailer Network Development
- 1999 - Vice President of Sales, Service, and Marketing
In 2004, the position of Saturn was redefined within General Motors, with Saturn losing a seat on GM's board. Jill Lajdziak was appointed General Manager of Saturn, with responsibilities encompassing brand and product development, marketing and supervision of the field organization. This more brand-oriented role of both Lajdziak and Saturn as a GM division put the formerly more independent corporation more in line with other GM North American brands.