Former AT&T Chief to Head New GM

Edward Whitacre Jr., former chairman and chief executive of telecom giant AT&T, got the nod today to run the “new GM” when it emerges from Chapter 11 protection.

Whitacre was named chairman of the board, as GM works to replace members who stepped down or are slated to retire amid the company’s restructuring. In all, the board will contain 13 directors, including one appointed by the Canadian government and one by the United Auto Workers healthcare trust.

Whitacre served as chairman and CEO of AT&T for 17 years, leading the transformation from a regional telephone company into one of the nation’s largest wireless, broadband, and phone-service providers.