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Edward T. Welburn Jr.

Automobile Designer & Former Vice President of Global Design at General Motors

Automobile Designer & Former Vice President of Global Design at General Motors

Travels From Travels From:
Bethlehem, PA, USA
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Edward T. Welburn Jr. Biography

As just the sixth head of design for General Motors and the first person ever to lead GM Design globally, Ed Welburn is one of the most influential vehicle designers of his time. Welburn was born in 1950 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His love of cars was evident almost from birth, but it truly blossomed when his parents took him to the 1958 Philadelphia International Auto Show where the Cadillac Cyclone concept car was on display.

It was then that Welburn decided he wanted to become an automotive designer. He later wrote a letter to a designer at GM, asking what he should do to become one, and received a response which advised him to keep sketching cars and to study industrial design. Welburn enrolled in Howard University’s fine arts program in 1969, where he studied sculpture and product design. After graduation, he was hired as an associate designer at the Advanced Design Studios for General Motors. Though he was the first African American designer ever at GM, Welburn did not immediately realize the significance of his position. However, he quickly understood that he was in the spotlight.

Welburn would later join the Oldsmobile design studio, where he worked on projects like the Cutlass Supreme. In 1987, he was charged with managing the creation of the Oldsmobile Aerotech, a concept car that fellow Automotive Hall of Fame Inductee A.J. Foyt drove to a record-setting 257 mph. In 2005, Welburn was asked to become the first head of Global Design for GM and tasked with uniting all ten of GM’s design centers and 2,500 employees. It was a monumental undertaking, but one that has produced an impressive collection of successful designs such as the latest Corvette and the revived Camaro, as well as groundbreaking concepts like the Cadillac Ciel, and Buick Avista.

In addition to unifying all of GM design, Welburn holds the distinction of having been the highest-ranking African American in the global automotive industry. His retirement in 2016 capped off an impressive 44-year career at GM that brought a bounty of beautiful vehicles into the world.

Welburn was also awarded the Distinguished Service Citation when he was Vice President of General Motors Global Design. When appointed to this position in 2003, he became the first African American to lead a major automotive design house and only the sixth person to lead GM Design in the company’s 100-year history. He manages 1600 creative designers and sculptors who staff GM’s 11 Global Design studios.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/19/2024.

Edward T. Welburn Jr. Videos

  • Ed Welburn Acceptance Speech - 2022 Corvette Hall of Fame
    Ed Welburn, Retired VP of GM Global Design accepts the 2022 Corvette Hall of Fame award for the category of GM/Chevrolet.

FAQs on booking Edward T. Welburn Jr.

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  • What are the speaker fees for Edward T. Welburn Jr.

    Speaking fees for Edward T. Welburn Jr., or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Edward T. Welburn Jr. are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Edward T. Welburn Jr., click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Edward T. Welburn Jr. speak about?

    Edward T. Welburn Jr. is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Art, Black History, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Television & Film, Virtual Speakers.
  • Where does Edward T. Welburn Jr. travel from?

    Edward T. Welburn Jr. generally travels from Bethlehem, PA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Edward T. Welburn Jr. for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Edward T. Welburn Jr. for your next private or corporate function.
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Edward T. Welburn Jr. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Edward T. Welburn Jr. for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Edward T. Welburn Jr. generally travels from Bethlehem, PA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Javier Verdura, Trevor Stuurman, Scott Pruett, Peter Zelinski and Kelley Earnhardt Miller. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Edward T. Welburn Jr. for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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