Tim Lee
Tim Lee is a founder of Hawksbill Group, a diversified business and communications consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Tim brings a unique mix of commercial and operational skills to Hawksbill Advisors. With a strong background in International Operations for General Motors, Tim understands the ins and outs of both domestic and foreign markets and how to successfully grow and maintain businesses in these areas.
Prior to founding Hawksbill Group Tim was General Motors Executive Vice President, Global Manufacturing, and Chairman, GM China. In this role he was responsible for GM’s operations in the company’s largest market. During his tenure he led the team that helped make GM China a significant contributor to the earning power of GM, doubling the repatriated profits from the region and growing GM’s market share from 9% to 15%.
He was also a member of the Opel Supervisory Board and Chairman of Shanghai GM helping to coordinate the GM portfolio offer globally with a focus on returning Opel to profitability.
Before taking on these roles Tim served as President, GM International Operations and GM Vice President, Global Manufacturing. In this role Tim was responsible for over 100 countries and nearly 40% of the vehicles sold by GM. He earlier served as GM Group Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations, focusing on the customer at the place where it all begins – the plant floor.
Prior to those assignments, Tim was GM North America Vice President of Manufacturing and was a member of GM’s North American Strategy Board.
While in Zurich, Switzerland, Tim was GM Vice President of Manufacturing, and was responsible for all GM vehicle manufacturing and assembly plants in Europe. Earlier in his career, Tim gained additional international experience directing product and manufacturing planning for Isuzu Motors in Japan, where he was named Vice President of Corporate and Product Planning and a member of the Board of Directors.
Tim’s broad automotive experience started as a student intern with GM in 1969. He worked his way from manufacturing, labor relations and personnel positions into various senior manufacturing posts. Tim served as plant manager at several GM plants in the U.S., and was the Executive Director of Manufacturing Engineering.
Originally from Lorain, Ohio, Tim received a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering from the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and a Master of Science degree in business administration from Purdue University. In September 2011, he received the iconic Magnolia Award from the Shanghai Municipal Government for his contributions to the economic and social development of Shanghai. By virtue of this award, Tim has been granted permanent lifetime resident status in the People’s Republic of China.
