General Motors announced that its CEO Mary Barra is also taking on the role of chairman at the company. The company's directors unanimously elected her to lead the board, effective immediately. She'll replace Theodore Solso, who will stay on as the board's lead independent director.

Barra, 54, took over as CEO in January of 2014, becoming the first woman to lead a major global automaker. Her appointment came shortly before the company became embroiled in a scandal over faulty small-car ignition switches. But she led the company through the crisis and a related series of embarrassing safety recalls.

Barra replaced Dan Akerson, a former telecommunications and private equity executive, who also held the chairman and CEO roles before leaving the company.