Roy S. Roberts’ biography reads like a laundry list of academic accomplishments, professional achievements and civic awards. Not only was the Harvard grad the highest-ranking African American executive in the American automobile industry prior to his retirement, he is also the recipient of the American Success Award from President George Bush and was named Executive of the Year by both Black Enterprise and Wheels magazines. Currently, Roberts is an investor in Detroit’s MGM Grand Casino and heads a $120 million equity fund. Rolling out caught up with Roberts at the Detroit Urban League’s Distinguished Warriors Awards and spoke with him regarding his lifetime of achievement. –roz edward
How difficult was it to rise through the ranks at GM to become the highest ranking African American executive in the industry?
It was surely difficult and surely a challenge. It was a challenge for any human being to try and work for a company the size and magnitude of General Motors and try to get to the top. Being an African American, I had my challenges, but it [inspired] me to work harder to get to the top and make it a reality.
What are the three most important keys to business and networking success?
There are a lot of people who place emphasis on networking. I think you have to network or not work. A lot of it comes down to who you know. It also comes down to relationships. But you shouldn’t be fooled by that. It’s like affirmative action can get you in the door, but it’s up to you to stay in.
Would you identify three personal and professional highlights that you’d like to share?
I have a lot. When I became vice president of GM, I was proud of that because my father raised 10 children and never even owned a car. I had access to all the cars I wanted and that was a great moment not only for me, but for him as well.
Then I was in New York, and we took the worst plant in North America and turned it around in nine months. We ensured that quality, cost and people were the top [priority]. These were great moments, and I like to share these because all of these moments were comprised of people, and people make the difference.
