3 Generations - Apollo to the Volt
Submitted by Scott A. McCullough
Hello. I am a 3rd generation GM employee. I am an engineering specialist at the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan.
It all started with my grandmother working at Delco Electronics (was AC Spark Plug back then) a division of GM in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Growing up she told stories of working on the control units for the 1st and subsequent Apollo space crafts. She was a micro-solderer. High pressure and perfection she would say. Proud and dedicated she would say. Union worker yes, slacker, NO! GM helped achieve Kennedy's man on the moon goal. She is still with us at 87 and still talks fondly of the GM that accomplished so much.
Then came my mom who joined the GM team after raising 3 kids into the teens. Having a college degree in business she was a salaried worker. She quickly became a manager at the Delco Electronics facility in Oak Creek. High pressure and perfection she would say. Proud and dedicated she would say. Salaried worker yes, slacker, NO! She worked daily with the salaried and union work force, but her work was Avionics and Automotive related. Yes, GM has a big part in avionics history too. GM developed Gyro navigation systems for military and commercial flight. The Gyro assembly area was enclosed with a controlled environment and was called the clean room, everyone masked and draped in white attire, not a spec. of dust. She is now a 65 year old retiree and proud of what she accomplished too.
Now my story. I graduated from college in 1990 as an electrical engineer and actually started work at an electric power company during the recession on the early 90's. Six months later Delco Electronics called me for an interview for a position in the newly formed Milwaukee Design Center (MDC). I passed the interview and started in January of 1991 in the MDC, which was focused on automotive electronics. At the time, due to Engine Control Modules (ECMs') and other vehicle computers Delco Milwaukee was the largest manufacturer of computers in the world. After 3 years I was asked to move to Michigan to be a resident engineer in the GM Lansing Automotive Division. Two kids in tow and a 3rd on the way I accepted. After two years I ASKED to be transferred to GM (as in the parent company) and it happened.
September 16, 2008
Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of working on new technology in all areas of the vehicles, including designing the main computer on the President's Limo which controlled most of the vehicle operation and security. I am currently working on the Chevy Volt which brings me to the culmination of the title of my story. So you may ask...How are things? High pressure and perfection, yes. Proud and dedicated, yes. Salaried worker yes, slacker, NO!
Beware; the Volt is just the beginning. GM has so much coming that I wish I could tell you about, but GM would not be happy if I did and I like my job. So, three generations, from the Apollo to the Volt and beyond. The story is not over!!!!!
Tag Cloud
 |
English |