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Boss Kettering Award

The "Boss" Kettering Award Program was established more than 25 years ago to recognize individuals from every region of the globe who have developed truly outstanding inventions or innovations that have provided identifiable and substantial benefit to General Motors. The "Boss" Kettering Award Program underscores the importance of innovation as a core value at General Motors.

Kettering awardees have a unique and important role in our success. As stretch thinkers and drivers of innovation, Kettering awardees serve as role models for everyone at GM -- displaying the spirit, determination, and commitment needed to lead in the 21st Century. Rapid implementation of these innovative products and processes forms the foundation for leadership that will distinguish GM from our competitors.

"Boss" Kettering Award Recipients

Biography of "Boss" Kettering

Award Information

Purpose

The "Boss" Kettering Award is GM's top technical award for recognizing employees who have developed truly outstanding inventions and innovations. These inventions and innovations:

  • Are superior in originality and creativity
  • Have identifiable and sustainable commercial value
  • Represent "industry firsts" or innovations that provide notable leaps in a technology or process or technical enablers for business practice. In addition to new vehicle features, innovations may include documented processes used in vehicle development, manufacturing, or delivery systems.
Selection Criteria
  • A Record of Invention or documented technical enablers for business practices. (Although the invention may ultimately result in a patent, trade secret or defensive publication, this is not a requirement.)
  • Superior in originality and creativity
  • Currently used in GM commercial products, equipment, design and engineering processes, manufacturing processes, or services during award calendar year. (Invention may have been conceived and documented in prior years.)