Was Microsoft's Liddell Promised GM CEO Job?

Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) departing CFO Chris Liddell will join GM as Vice Chairman and CFO, according to several media reports. GM is so badly damaged that the move could not even be viewed as an improvement compared to his current job at the world’s largest software company. Liddell was well-regarded by Wall St.

The reason Liddell is moving may be that he was promised the CEO job at GM, or at least as been told the job is his to lose. Ed Whitacre, former AT&T CEO, is acting as GM’s chairman and chief executive but has told employees and the government that he will quickly find a new chief.

Liddell can join the list of GM executives and board members who know nothing about running a car company.

Douglas A. McIntyre