Glidden, 57, replaces Michael Millikin, 66, who is retiring in July.
General Motors Co. announced Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, that Craig B. Glidden has been appointed executive vice president and general counsel, effective March 1. DETROIT, MI - General Motors has named Craig Glidden executive vice president and general counsel, effective March 1.
Glidden, 57, replaces Michael Millikin, 66, who is retiring in July.
Millikin faced harsh criticism from lawmakers on Capitol Hill for his department's handling of GM's ignition switch recall crisis, with one senator even wondering aloud why he had not been fired.
GM CEO Mary Barra defended Millikin's work to lawmakers. Millikin has been with the company for four decades, including five years as legal counsel.
Glidden will now lead GM's legal team, which is integrated into the company's regional and functional teams in more than 30 countries.
"Craig Glidden has had a distinguished career managing complex legal issues around the world, and his broad legal and senior management expertise fits perfectly with our strategic priorities and plans for global growth," Barra said in a release Thursday.
Glidden was most recently executive vice president and chief legal officer for LyondellBasell Industries, a plastics, chemicals and refining company. Before that, he was senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. And prior to that, he had a private law practice.
"I'm enthused to be joining General Motors and its management team to help drive the company forward," Glidden said in the release. "The company has made significant progress in recent years and I look forward to further advancing the business goals.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter