General Motors announced Friday that Tony Roma will be named chief executive engineer of the Corvette program (along with the rest of Chevrolet’s recent Global Performance Cars team) in July, when outgoing chief Tadge Juechter retires. Roma previously worked on the Corvette program, but has worked on various Cadillac projects in recent years, including the ATS, CTS, Celestiq and both Blackwings.
“As a car enthusiast and racing driver, I feel a robust bond with the entire Corvette team and our fans around the world,” Roma said. “I’ve been a part of almost every event our customers bring their cars to: road races, autocross, road rallies, cross-country adventures, car shows, drag races and more. I know that for a car to be successful it has to resonate with the end customer and be good at what they want.”
If you’re worried that Roma’s personal preferences are affecting his professional life, you’ll probably be comforted to know that his garage includes a C4 ZR1, C6 ZR1, C8 Z06, and a CTS-V Wagon; It has already made room for the C8 ZR1. He has the highest GM test driver rating and is qualified to drive on the Nürburgring during the Industry-Pool session.
“I approach this opportunity with deep respect and admiration for the demanding work of those who came before me, from the first-generation Corvette of the 1950s to today,” Roma said. “The Corvette has earned and continues to earn its place in American automotive history thanks to the people behind it, like Tadge Juechter. This is a large challenge, but we will work every day to continue the robust legacy this nameplate deserves.”
Juechter has operated at GM Performance’s highest levels since being promoted to Corvette’s chief engineer in 2006. Although his exact position has since changed, he was the face of the show for the better part of two decades – a significant portion of his 47-year career at General Motors.