Not very often does one person impact a situation or a company with any significance. Normally we work our own areas and go about our life without much fanfare or notice. There are of course exceptions.

One of those exceptions is a person with whom I worked in the 1980s and early 1990s. He was merchandising manager for a General Motors Division that was run old school. Meaning that change or innovative ideas were not encouraged. The status quo was always desired. Statements like, “That’s the way we have always done it” were the mantra of the day. Eventually this person left and became the driving force behind another car company.

This other car company began to excel and people took notice so he was invited back to GM to manage his former division. He brought it to its current height and was elevated to a vice president of GM.

He was and is one of the most honest, ethical and moral people I know. He not only understood the inner workings of a car company, he also understood the responsibility that came with leadership. He always had time to say hello to the “little guy” and had a sincere desire to take GM to the next level of greatness.

Unfortunately, he left GM a couple of weeks ago to “pursue other interests.” I am not sure what that means but I know that the loss of Mark LaNeve is not good for GM or for the automotive community. Mark was an outstanding, dedicated and driven individual who, I feel, will be missed more than anyone can imagine and whichever company gains his leadership will be greatly improved because of his mere presence. Good luck, Mark.