Faces of GM

Nancy: From Painting to Pioneering

January/7/2010 at 10:45 am

Nancy Laubenthal

Editor’s Note: Today is a big day for GM — and for the auto industry: exactly three years after we revealed the Chevy Volt concept car, we announce production on the Volt battery at our facility in Brownstown, Michigan (see our press release for details). To mark the occasion, we want to share two stories about the people who are responsible for launching the battery: Nancy Laubenthal, the plant manager, and Marisol McCormick, the operations manager. Take a look below and let us know what you think!

Nancy Laubenthal: Plant Manager, Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant 

Pop the cork: I guess you could say I’m a wine enthusiast. I’ve tasted wine from around the world and truly appreciate all types. But my collection is getting a little too big because I haven’t had much time to enjoy them!

Move to the beat: I love to run, so when I’m hitting the pavement, I need some fast-paced music to keep me going. Right now, I’m listening to Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas.

Twilight Junkie: I’ve read three out of the four books in the Twilight series and I am hooked! I recently saw New Moon and loved it. (I’m sure I’ll be hearing from my coworkers on this one!)

My journey with General Motors started in 1985 as a student. After graduating from Cornell University with a bachelor and master’s degree in chemical engineering, I was offered an internship within GM’s paint and polymers engineering department. Since then, I’ve held various positions.  At the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant I helped start up the new paint shop and launch the Cadillac CTS, and at Flint Assembly, I managed paint and general assembly.

In 2007, I was offered a great opportunity – to take an assignment as the Director of General Motors Europe Paint & Polymers Center in Ruesselsheim, Germany. Some people might have thought twice about packing up and moving across the world. Not me – I packed my bags. In Germany, I led a team that supported new environmental advancements in paint technology. I also had the privilege of spending about 4 months in Russia where we were building a new paint shop.

After two years overseas, I received a phone call about this amazing opportunity to come back to the U.S. to start up the new Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant, where the batteries for the Chevrolet Volt would be manufactured. How could I pass that up?

The position allows me to take all of the elements of my job that are appealing and exciting, like manufacturing, engineering and advanced technology, and use them to help bring to life a concept that will revolutionize the industry.

A few months ago, our plant wasn’t much more than an empty warehouse. During this startup phase, my job entails overseeing the installation of machinery and equipment as well as hiring and training the team that will run the plant on a day-to-day basis. We’re running a really lean team which requires each of us to wear several different hats to make sure we can accomplish our goals. It’s all hands on deck, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Helping bring this battery technology to market so quickly and efficiently will certainly be one of my biggest accomplishments.

When I’m not at the plant, you’ll probably find me somewhere halfway across the world. Once a year, my friends and I choose a destination to discover. But we’re not just sightseers. We like to really explore and experience all that each region has to offer. We’ve hiked glaciers, paraglided in the Alps, and ran a 16K near the Eiffel Tower. I’m always looking for the next adrenaline rush. In fact, my next goal is to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro someday soon – well, probably after the Volt is in production.  I’m kind of busy right now.