8 Game Changers Who Brought Riches to Companies

Dan Akerson, CEO, General Motors: Daniel Francis Akerson succeeded Edward Whitacre to become Chairman and CEO of General Motors in September of 2010. Akerson made drastic changes in the company and enhanced the decision making process of the company by eliminating all 30 internal boards. Akerson has always been known as 'a blunt-spoken, aggressive competitor.' Prior to General Motors Akerson worked at The Carlyle Group, an American company that does global asset management for top companies. Akerson has an extensive resume with lots of corporate and private equity experience, but has had no experience running an industrial company like GM. Akerson is better known for his financial skills. But General Motors, during Akerson's first year of tenure in 2011, earned a record $7.6 billion in profit off of $150.3 billion in sales.