DETROIT -

General Motors announced Monday that it hired a new vice president of Global Human Resources and is continuing to roll out its investment of $2 billion allotted for 17 U.S. facilities. In addition to the new hiring, the automaker is turning its focus to investing in the Technical Center campus in Warren, Mich.

Tapped for the human resources position is Cynthia "Cindy" Brinkley, who joins the company from AT&T, where she served as senior vice president of talent development, as well as chief diversity officer and was responsible for identifying and developing future leaders, companywide training, employee engagement and diversity management.

Brinkley succeeds Mary Barra, who earlier was named senior vice president of global product development but has continued to lead human resources while a global search for her successor was conducted. Brinkley’s appointment is effective July 1, the company noted.

"Cindy has a strong track record for driving business results and leading talent management," said GM chairman and chief executive officer Dan Akerson. "She is a well-rounded executive who brings strong human resources experience to our company. We are happy to have her join GM at this time.”

Brinkley will report to Akerson and also serve on the company’s Executive Operations Committee.

On top of her new position at GM, Brinkley is also chairman of the National Oasis Institute, a member of the Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis, co-chairs the University of Missouri’s Billion Dollar Fundraising Campaign and is a member of the Trulaske School of Business Strategic Development Board.

Moreover, Brinkley was recognized as Webster University’s School of Business & Technology Woman of Influence in 2010.

GM to Invest in Michigan Technical Center Campus

In other news from the automaker, GM announced it would be investing $130 million and adding 25 high-tech jobs in an effort to build an enterprise data center at its Technical Center campus in Warren, Mich.

As part of the previously announced $2 billion investment allotted for 17 U.S. facilities in eight states, GM hopes renovation will create a “high-tech information technology hub” at the Michigan campus.

"This new facility and other GM data centers around the world support the tools the company needs to design, build and sell the world’s best vehicles through digital applications enabling all business functions," said Terry Kline, GM vice president and chief information officer.

According to GM, design for renovation and construction is already underway and is scheduled for completion in 2015.

The new facility will act as an information technology operations and command center that will consolidate the company’s IT infrastructure, reduce operating costs and cut energy use by 40 percent.

The facility is also expected to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDS) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, GM noted.

The data center, which features a modular design that can allow for future expansion, will contain IT laboratories that will serve as a “hub” for monitoring GM’s digital applications globally.

"This investment is possible because of the cooperation between GM, the Warren community and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority," said Kline.

"We truly appreciate the support we received from the mayor and city council in Warren, as well as the state of Michigan. We think the result is a win for everybody involved," he concluded.