GM Official Retires, 3 Others Named to Top Jobs

General Motors Corp. has announced a series of top-level management changes, including the appointment of three new executive vice presidents.

The assignments follow the retirement of GM Executive Vice President Elmer W. Johnson, 56, who at one time had been seen as a possible successor to GM Chairman Roger B. Smith. Johnson will return to his former Chicago law firm, Kirkland and Ellis.

GM did not appoint a single executive to replace Johnson, but his primary duties will be performed by GM Executive Vice President F. Alan Smith, who will take charge of the operating and public affairs staff. He previously was in charge of GM’s finance unit and General Motors Acceptance Corp.

“It was not a question of filling a vacancy--it doesn’t take three executive vice presidents to take the place of one executive,” said GM’s chairman. “These were moves generated by getting ready for the 21st Century.” He said Johnson’s departure accelerated changes that were already in the works.

Among the major management changes were the appointments of vice presidents Robert T. O’Connell, John F. Smith Jr. and William E. Hoglund as executive vice presidents.

Hoglund, 53, the most visible of the trio, was put in charge of GM’s automotive components group and the newly formed Power Products & Defense Operations Group. He most recently was in charge of the Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac Group. Prior to that assignment, Hoglund headed GM’s Saturn Corp. small car project and was general manager of the Pontiac division.

O’Connell, 49, was given charge of GM’s Finance Group and its General Motors Acceptance Corp. He previously was in charge of the Finance Group. John Smith, 50, was named head of GM’s international operations. He had been head of General Motors Europe.