GM chief to visit Lordstown Aug. 21

By HOLLY SCHOENSTEIN

The agenda has not been finalized, a company spokesman said.

LORDSTOWN — Recent activity at the General Motors Corp. plant, such as the start of the third shift last week, has attracted nationwide attention.

The excitement continues with a scheduled visit Aug. 21 from Rick Wagoner, company chief executive officer.

GM spokesman Chris Lee declined to say when Wagoner will arrive, what he will do here or why he will visit, noting the agenda is still in the planning phase.

But Lee did say that the start of the third shift may be a subject the CEO will discuss during his visit.

“We’ve got some positive things to talk about,” Lee said.

To add to the excitement, Cal Rapson, the United Auto Workers international vice president of the GM Department, Gov. Ted Strickland and Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher are also scheduled to visit the same day.

The spokesperson for Strickland and Fisher did not immediately return a call for comment.

Until the day of the visits, GM employees working at the plant will enjoy another company perk — an extension of the employee discount program for the purchase or lease of new vehicles manufactured by the company.

The program, which allows each employee to offer the discount to one friend or neighbor, has been extended through Aug.19.

More information about the discount program can be found at www.gmfamilyfirst.com.

hschoenstein@vindy.com