While many teenagers are trying to secure jobs bagging groceries or putting together fast-food meals, 16-year-old Alex can say he was CEO of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer. Alex, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, spends his free time reading about automobiles and has even designed his own cars. When volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York questioned Alex about his greatest wish, he replied that he would like to be CEO of General Motors (GM) for a day and share his car designs with the company’s executives and engineers.

With the assistance of General Motors and sponsorship from UAW-GM, Alex split his new job responsibilities between New York City and Detroit. His first day on the job came on Wall Street, where he joined Gary Cowger, president of General Motors North America, for the ceremonial opening of the stock market. The teen’s effect on his new colleague, Gary Cowger, was evident as Gary introduced Alex at the Chevy Malibu Maxx press conference as his “new boss,” exclaiming, “I like people who think big. So I’ve got to tell you, I really like this guy!”

Alex’s job responsibilities also took him to Detroit, where he reported to work at the GM World Headquarters. The young executive received an official employee badge and business cards identifying him as CEO. The man Alex replaced, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, was happy to relinquish his title for awhile and spent some valuable one-on-one time with his protégé. Afterwards, Rick reflected on their conversation about careers in the automotive industry, saying, “The opportunity to spend time with Alex was personally very meaningful to me.”

Next on Alex’s itinerary was a tour of the GM World vehicle exhibit with Richard Shoemaker, vice president and director, UAW General Motors Department. Shoemaker came away from the meeting with praise for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, saying, “It is extremely rewarding to take part in helping to make dreams come true for children like Alex who are battling life-threatening medical conditions. UAW members are proud to be a part of the Make-A-Wish family.”

Lunchtime came, and Alex spent it with the GM Design team at the Warren Tech Center, where they reviewed Alex’s car designs. Later, the designers surprised him with full-color, computerized 3-D images of his creations.

The group discussed and interpreted vehicle designs, and created a clay model, which Alex received as a souvenir.

Never one to let opportunity slip by, the college-bound teen concluded his trip to the Motor City by touring Kettering University in nearby Flint, Mich. The school is noted for its engineering program and was owned by General Motors at one time. It is also now a candidate for Alex’s higher education.

Alex was incredulous when reflecting on his wish. He explained, “Of all the wishes I thought about, I never believed this one could really happen. But it really came true! Not only was it the thrill of my life, but it’s going to help me in planning my future.”

2008 Update: Alex’s Wish Leads to College, Potential Career

A lot has changed in Alex’s life since his wish to be the CEO of General Motors was granted in 2003.

He graduated from high school.

He became a college student at Kettering University, a school formerly known as General Motors Institute and now known for giving engineering students real-work experience.

He accepted a job with engineering giant General Electric.

And most importantly, he is about to enter his fifth year of remission for osteosarcoma, the bone cancer that made him eligible to receive a wish.

All of these happy events pose a stark contrast to the days Alex, now 21, spent in the hospital receiving cancer treatments. But the optimism and determination that carried him through the darker days are why Alex has so many reasons to celebrate today.

During his wish trip to Michigan, Alex visited the Kettering University campus and connected with some of the staff members. He knew immediately that he wanted to attend college there, as so many GM employees had done before him.

“I kept in touch with the university staff after my wish,” Alex said, “and they encouraged me to keep my grades up in high school and then take certain community college classes until I was well enough to move to Michigan and become a student there.”

Alex not only kept his grades up but also kept his spirits up. In the winter of 2007, he became a Kettering University student.

Today, Alex splits his time between studying at Kettering and working at General Electric through the university’s co-op program. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in bioengineering so he can ultimately help kids facing the serious illnesses he knows so well.

And this, he says, is only the beginning of his story. “We can write another update five years from now,” he said.

UAW-GM has been a Make-A-Wish corporate sponsor since 1999. The fundraising and volunteer support of UAW workers, General Motors employees, and dealerships have been making smiles standard equipment® for thousands of wish kids like Alex ever since.