- BS Mechanical Engineering 1947
Jim Vorhes earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1947 and immediately began a 39 year career with General Motors. Following a series of sales and service assignments in the Pontiac field organization, he served as a zone manager in a number of locations.
He became assistant general sales manager of western area field operations in 1970 and was named general sales manager of the Pontiac Division in 1973. He held that post until he was appointed GM's vice president of consumer relations and service staff in 1977. In 1984, all consumer relations, service, sales, and dealer-related activities were combined under his direction to create the GM Customer Sales and Service Staff. He retired in 1986. Vorhes received the Board of Control Silver Medal in 1979 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering in 1985.
From 1995 Induction to the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Academy