General Motors has brought back Robert Ferguson for its top public policy role as the carmaker continues to navigate its recall crisis, rebuild its reputation and work to placate Washington.
The senior VP of public policy role was previously held by Selim Bingol, who also led communications and was pushed out in April as the company's woes grew.
Ferguson, a former senior strategist for Public Strategies Inc. (now Hill+Knowlton Strategies), led government relations for GM before moving to a global senior VP role with its Cadillac unit in 2012 under then-CEO Dan Akerson. But he has led the automaker's recall response among lawmakers and regulators while in the Cadillac role and will report directly to CEO Mary Barra with the new title.
"We need Bob's leadership and full focus on rebuilding relationships and instilling confidence in GM's efforts to create a new industry standard for safety," Barra said in a statement.
The 54-year-old Ferguson was previously in legislative and regulatory affairs with AT&T.
GM in April brought in a former Public Strategies CEO Jeff Eller as a PR adviser and tapped former VP-comms. Steve Harris out of retirement. Former comms. VP Tony Cervone was recruited back from Volkswagen for the top PR slot at GM in May.
Meanwhile, the bad news drip continues for GM in Washington. The New York Times' lead story today questions GM's disclosures about the fatal crashes that led to its recall of millions of cars.
"Now, GM's response, as well as its replies to queries in other crashes obtained by The New York Times from the National Highway Safety Administration, casts doubt on how forthright the automaker was with regulators over a defective ignitiion switch that GM has linked to at least 13 deaths over the last decade," the Times' Rebecca Ruiz and Danielle Ivory reported.
Missy Edwards Strategies represents Shein Technology Group, the Los Angeles arm of the embattled Singapore-based “instant fashion” retailer.
Carlsbad, a north San Diego County city of 115K people, is looking for a firm to provide government relations and Sacramento lobbying services.
Gordon Sondland, who was US ambassador to the European Union under Donald Trump, has registered as a representative of Ukraine’s cabinet and ministers.
The Daschle Group is representing Santa Monica-based Stand with Hong Kong Action, an advocacy group that fights to end Chinese repression in Hong Kong.
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