GM Canada Announces David W. Paterson as Vice President Corporate and Environmental Affairs

Dec. 2, 2014 – GM Canada today announced that David W. Paterson has rejoined the company as Vice President, Corporate and Environmental Affairs. He will also work as part of GM’s global public policy and communications organizations. 

GM Canada’s corporate affairs issues were most recently managed by Neil Macdonald, Vice President Corporate Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary for GM Canada who has elected to retire effective March 1, 2015 after 30 years of dedicated service to General Motors.

“I would like to thank Neil for leading both the corporate affairs and legal functions at GM Canada throughout a historic period for General Motors of Canada,” said Carlisle.  “We are grateful for his leadership and dedication.”

Over his career with GM Canada, Mr. MacDonald has held various positions within the Legal and Government Relations Staffs, and was appointed Vice-President, General Counsel in 1995.  Neil’s responsibilities expanded to include Vice President Corporate Affairs in 2009.  As a member of the GM Canada Board of Directors and Canadian Executive Committee since 1995, Neil has provided instrumental leadership for the Company, particularly around the restructuring period and his efforts in guiding the organization through considerable legal matters in recent years.  Neil will remain as General Counsel.  A successor will be named at a later date.

Most recently, Mr. Paterson was Global Senior Vice President, Government Relations for BlackBerry and prior to that was Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs for Manulife Financial.  He led corporate affairs at GM Canada between 2003 and 2009.  He also currently serves as the vice chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

GM Canada President and Managing Director, Stephen K. Carlisle said, “I am very pleased to welcome David back to GM.  His extensive experience and strong relationships will be a great asset to GM as we continue to build an innovative, profitable and customer-focused business in Canada based on world-leading vehicles and technologies.”

Paterson will report jointly to Bob Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy for General Motors; Tony Cervone, Senior Vice President of Global Communications for General Motors; and Stephen Carlisle, President and Managing Director of GM Canada.  He will be a member of GM Canada’s Executive Committee.