The 1998 Chairman's Honors event marks the fourth year for the program formerly called the President's Council Honors program. The program, established to create a unifying and motivating force for positive change, salutes GM employees from groups, divisions, and staffs throughout the world for their originality and creativity in making significant contributions toward the achievement of GM's business objectives. It is a lifetime distinction that is reserved for the "best of the best" - those GM employees who personify exceptional commitment, integrity, enthusiasm, and performance. A Chairman's Honor is the most prestigious award a GM employee can receive.

"To earn this award, these people displayed the kind of extra energy, vision, confidence, and teamwork that are the hallmark of winners. Winning teams come together with a common vision and a robust plan to make it happen. These award winners are truly role models for everyone else on the GM team," said John F. Smith, Jr., GM chairman and chief executive officer, who presented the awards.

In this new position, Nesti is responsible for directing the manufacturing and administrative functions of the Company's operations in Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela.

Nesti joined Lear in February 1999 as Director of Finance and Administration for Lear in Brazil. His more than 21 years of experience includes positions in senior management, finance and engineering with such firms as Ryder do Brasil, Robert Bosch Freios Ltda., and AlliedSignal Automotive Ltda., having worked in Brazil, Mexico and the United States. Prior to joining Lear, he was Director President of Ryder do Brasil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ryder Systems, Inc.

Nesti graduated from Escola Politecnica Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and earned a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Strategic Planning from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan (USA). He and his wife, Maria, who have three children, reside in Sao Paulo, Brazil.