By Arianna Kughn, director, GM internal communications
For many employees, General Motors is more than just a workplace - it's a part of our family story, shaped by the loved ones and mentors who've guided us.
And this couldn’t be more true than for the Kirbitz family, whose multi-generational journey with GM spans more than a century, illustrating how strong family bonds and inspiring careers often intertwine right here.
Take Kevin Kirbitz: GM’s chief historian and senior manager of Heritage Operations. Kevin spends most of his days at GM’s Durant-Dort Factory One in Flint, Michigan – the birthplace of GM and now a meeting and conference center.
CAPTION: Baby Kevin (center) with his mother Leona (left), who worked for GM Public Relations for 22 years, and his mother's aunt Anna (right) who worked for Buick in the 1920s.
Kevin's earliest memories of GM go straight back to his own father, Richard - an hourly operator in Flint – and his mother Leona, a 22-year GM public relations pro. Kevin still recalls riding with his mom to drop his dad off at the plant, seeing all those colleagues heading in together in a powerful image of hard work and community.
"I grew up GM. Being in a GM family painted my whole outlook on life,” says Kevin. “When you look at our own corporate family tree and how that overlaps with our personal family tree, it’s almost one and the same."
That foundation, built on his dad's dedication, truly set the stage for Kevin's own career and deep pride in GM – something he passed along to his son, Michael Kirbitz.
Michael is a vehicle engineer for the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra, EV, GMC HUMMER EV, and Cadillac ESCALADE IQ. Growing up in the "GM town” of Flint, Michigan, Michael felt a strong pull toward the company as a child.
CAPTION: Cars have always been a family passion. Here, two-year old Michael Kirbitz takes the wheel of a red race car bed for his birthday. (1992)
“One of my first GM memories was GM’s take your child to work day at the Flint Engineering Center,” says Michael. “I remember getting to see behind the scenes of automotive engineering, joining my dad’s meetings in design when he was an architecture manager. I remember being totally wowed by the entire process and wanting to be a part of it.”
After college, Michael briefly explored engineering jobs elsewhere, but his passion for GM and our products eventually brought him "home."
“Given my family history with GM, it’s wild to see how we've come full circle with my current role in battery electric trucks,” he says. “From the first carriages, to early ICE trucks, to the evolution of EVs and autonomy - it all comes down to building great products.”
Beyond their individual careers, the Kirbitz family's journey highlights the values shared across generations within GM: resilience in tough times, the importance of a solid work ethic, and that relentless focus on building great products.
CAPTION: Kevin (left) and Michael (right) pulled out the family’s old 1978 Buick Skyhawk to get it running for the Buick centennial celebration. (2003)
And speaking of product: when it comes to their favorite GM vehicles, that's one area where father and son may disagree.
“No question – my favorite is the 1949 Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Sequoia cream, white top, Dante red wheels, red leather interior,” says Kevin.
“I’m more of a muscle car person,” says Michael. “My favorite would be a 69 Camaro, but I also, love the stuff I work on every day – our new EV trucks. I’m so privileged to get to spend time in them and shape the future.”
Learn more about the people that power GM:
For many employees, General Motors is more than just a workplace - it's a part of our family story, shaped by the loved ones and mentors who've guided us.
And this couldn’t be more true than for the Kirbitz family, whose multi-generational journey with GM spans more than a century, illustrating how strong family bonds and inspiring careers often intertwine right here.
Take Kevin Kirbitz: GM’s chief historian and senior manager of Heritage Operations. Kevin spends most of his days at GM’s Durant-Dort Factory One in Flint, Michigan – the birthplace of GM and now a meeting and conference center.
Kevin's earliest memories of GM go straight back to his own father, Richard - an hourly operator in Flint – and his mother Leona, a 22-year GM public relations pro. Kevin still recalls riding with his mom to drop his dad off at the plant, seeing all those colleagues heading in together in a powerful image of hard work and community.
"I grew up GM. Being in a GM family painted my whole outlook on life,” says Kevin. “When you look at our own corporate family tree and how that overlaps with our personal family tree, it’s almost one and the same."
That foundation, built on his dad's dedication, truly set the stage for Kevin's own career and deep pride in GM – something he passed along to his son, Michael Kirbitz.
Michael is a vehicle engineer for the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra, EV, GMC HUMMER EV, and Cadillac ESCALADE IQ. Growing up in the "GM town” of Flint, Michigan, Michael felt a strong pull toward the company as a child.
“One of my first GM memories was GM’s take your child to work day at the Flint Engineering Center,” says Michael. “I remember getting to see behind the scenes of automotive engineering, joining my dad’s meetings in design when he was an architecture manager. I remember being totally wowed by the entire process and wanting to be a part of it.”
After college, Michael briefly explored engineering jobs elsewhere, but his passion for GM and our products eventually brought him "home."
“Given my family history with GM, it’s wild to see how we've come full circle with my current role in battery electric trucks,” he says. “From the first carriages, to early ICE trucks, to the evolution of EVs and autonomy - it all comes down to building great products.”
Beyond their individual careers, the Kirbitz family's journey highlights the values shared across generations within GM: resilience in tough times, the importance of a solid work ethic, and that relentless focus on building great products.
And speaking of product: when it comes to their favorite GM vehicles, that's one area where father and son may disagree.
“No question – my favorite is the 1949 Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Sequoia cream, white top, Dante red wheels, red leather interior,” says Kevin.
“I’m more of a muscle car person,” says Michael. “My favorite would be a 69 Camaro, but I also, love the stuff I work on every day – our new EV trucks. I’m so privileged to get to spend time in them and shape the future.”
Learn more about the people that power GM: