With automaker officials also reportedly meeting with congressional staff members today, General Motors chief executive officer Mary Barra named a new vehicle safety leader whose first priority will be to quickly identify and resolve product safety issues.

Tapped for the position effective immediately is Jeff Boyer, who has been named to the newly created position of vice president of global vehicle safety.

The OEM said Boyer, who has spent nearly 40 years in a wide range of engineering and safety positions at GM, will have global responsibility for the safety development of GM vehicle systems, confirmation and validation of safety performance, as well as post-sale safety activities, including recalls.

Officials indicated Boyer will provide regular and frequent updates on vehicle safety to Barra, senior management and the GM board of directors.

“Jeff’s appointment provides direct and ongoing access to GM leadership and the board of directors on critical customer safety issues,” Barra said. “This new role elevates and integrates our safety process under a single leader so we can set a new standard for customer safety with more rigorous accountability.

“If there are any obstacles in his way, Jeff has the authority to clear them. If he needs any additional resources, he will get them,” she continued.

From an industry analysis perspective,  Kelley Blue Book executive market analyst Jack Nerad shared these thoughts on the appointment: “The appointment of Jeff Boyer to the new position of vice president of global vehicle safety is another indication of how seriously General Motors and CEO Mary Barra are in dealing with the safety recalls that have recently engulfed the company. 

“There is no doubt that the GM wants to send a strong message that this is not business as usual. Instead it signals the company is changing its ways in identifying and dealing with potential safety issues,” Nerad continued. 

Boyer will report to John Calabrese, vice president of global vehicle engineering and become a member of global product development staff, led by Mark Reuss, executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers in the vehicles they drive,” Boyer said. “Today’s GM is committed to this, and I’m ready to take on this assignment.”

Boyer began his GM career in 1974 as a co-op student and has held several senior engineering, safety and process leadership positions, including the role of a total vehicle integration engineer. His most recent position since 2011 was executive director of engineering operations and systems development.

Before that juncture, Boyer served as executive director of global interior engineering and safety performance where he was responsible for the performance and certification of GM vehicle safety and crashworthiness.

Boyer’s appointment comes as Bloomberg reported here that GM officials are meeting with congressional staff members today. The report stated the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee called the meeting to discuss GM’s admission that the automaker knew of flaws for more than a decade before recalling six U.S. models because of ignition problems, according to Bloomberg sources who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.