DETROIT — Gov. Rick Snyder announced that former General Motors Corporation executive Roy Roberts would become the new emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, replacing Robert Bobb.
Roberts will have broader powers granted through a recent state law, including the ability to toss out union contracts as part of cost-cutting efforts. His contract is for one year and pays him $250,000.
The 72-year-old is taking over for Robert Bobb, who was named the school district’s emergency financial manager by former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2009. Bobb’s contract expired in March, but Snyder extended it through June.
Roberts has received various awards over the years including the “Executive of the Year” by Black Enterprise Magazine as well as “Automotive Executive of the Year” by African American on Wheels magazine. He was also presented with the American Success Award by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
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