mary burroughs is succeeding dan ackerson. she started as a plant engineer on the factory floor when she was just 18, and the rest of her resume stands on its own. she was head of manufacturing, but religious given the second half, head of product of element in 2011. her real calling card is cutting management layers, cutting red tape costs, and trying to taper what gm does while still building cool cars to make money. >> barra's appointment would make her the first female ceo for an auto company on the entire planet. she was asked what it was like to be a woman in a traditionally male-dominated business. >> i worked at general motors for 33 years with wonderful people. i always have been evaluated on what i contributed and what results i was able to obtain into your organization, but we come together as a team. putting a car or truck on the road is a team sport. i just view myself as part of a team. if by being a woman i can encourage young women who like math and science to not shy away from it and to pursue technical career