Jim Gaeschke was appointed to Plant Director for General Motors Flint and Pontiac Metal Centers in May 2023. He is responsible for leading and inspiring the plant teams to drive and deliver positive business performance through exceptional execution of lean manufacturing principles impacting safety, people, quality, responsiveness, cost and environment. Both Flint and Pontiac Metal Centers are three-shift operations with nearly 750 salaried and UAW-represented team members producing vehicle stampings and metal assemblies for multiple General Motors’ U.S. assembly plants.
Jim has 35 years of Manufacturing experience with General Motors. Jim initially started with General Motors as an engineering co-op student in 1990. Upon his 1992 graduation, Jim joined GM full-time in the Tool & Die College Graduate Program at the GM Warren Tech Center and at Flint Tool & Die Plant 38. Jim’s roles increased in leadership responsibility as the years progressed. He held assignments at Mansfield Stamping in Ohio, Pontiac Metal Center, Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri and Flint Assembly Plant in Flint, Michigan. Prior to his current appointment, he held the Plant Director position or General Motors Parma Metal Center in Parma, Ohio. He was passionate about supporting the Parma Community as a Parma Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member.
He is a focused, personable, and results-oriented manufacturing professional that has a depth of knowledge in large vehicle stamping and assembly plants. Jim is a proven leader in guiding teams to achieve effective business performance. Jim is very passionate about developing his direct reports, mentoring, and building an inclusive team culture.
Jim has led local plant efforts with United Way and American Health Association chapters in the communities he’s lived and worked. He currently serves as a Pontiac Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Member.
Jim earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, a Master of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Kettering University and a Paint Technology Process Control Certificate from Missouri University of Science and Technology. He is a member/mentor and Executive Lead of the GM Veterans Group. He also is a General Motors African Ancestry Network mentor and GM PAC Ambassador. Jim is an avid outdoors person who also enjoys physical fitness. His highest priority is being a husband to Carrie for more than 29 years and a father to Ryan, Connor, and Evan.