Akerson To Be GM's 4th CEO In 18 Months : NPR Edward Whitacre is stepping down as chief executive of General Motors. He will be succeeded by Daniel Akerson, a GM board member. Micheline Maynard, senior editor of Changing Gears, talks to Renee Montagne about the changes at the top. 08-13-2010 by garylambert Tags akerson, months