Activist Investor On General Motors: Naming Barra As Chairman Was 'Remarkably Tone Deaf'

General Motors CompanyGMHarry Wilson Explains Why He Withdrew His Nomination From General Motors' Board According to Automotive News, Wilson offered his thoughts on General Motors' CEO, Mary Barra, who was recently named as the company's Chairman. The comments were made during a presentation at the Automotive News World Congress. "Being chairman of the board is a different job," Wilson said. "Some people have characterized it as a promotion. It's not a promotion -- it's a different job." Wilson added that naming Barra as Chairman was "remarkably tone deaf" even though she is "doing a great job as the CEO." "I think to get the best out of the board, the chairman should be incredibly engaged in maximizing the knowledge base of the board members," Wilson also stated. "That is a distraction, in my opinion, for Mary." Shares of General Motors were trading higher by 0.56 percent at $30.65 early Thursday morning.