James Roche

James Michael Roche (December 16, 1906 – June 6, 2004) was an American statistician who served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board at General Motors Corporation. He is credited for promoting racial equality within General Motors (GM).

Early life and background Roche was born in Elgin, Illinois. He married Louise McMillan in 1929 and eventually had a daughter and two sons, James Roche, Doug Roche and Joan Roche. Roche never went to college because of his father's early death. He was one of the few American industrialists lacking a college education. Most of his career was spent at the Cadillac Division, becoming head of the division in 1957.

Chairman and Chairman of the Board Roche served as Chairman of GM from June 1, 1965, to October 31, 1967, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors from November 1, 1967, to December 31, 1971. He retired in 1971 because of a mandatory retirement age.