There have only been five people in Corvette’s history to lead the program. The sixth person to take the reigns of America’s sports car has been announced as Chevrolet released news of the appointment of Tony Roma as the new executive chief engineer for the global Corvette and performance cars team, effective July 1. Roma takes over from Tadge Juechter, who is retiring after an illustrious career that included leading the development of the groundbreaking C7 and C8 Corvettes.

Roma began his career with GM in 1993 working on the development of the 4L60 transmission. He is currently the chief engineer for the electric Cadillac Celestiq and brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role. Roma has worked within the Corvette program in the past and was involved in Cadillac’s V-series and Blackwing programs. Roma worked on the development of the LS1, LS2, LS6, LS7, and later spent time as the race engine team manager for the Cadillac World Challenge program. In his new capacity, he will also head GM’s newly formed luxury and performance car team. GM President Mark Reuss praised Roma’s appointment, stating, “Tony is a natural fit to succeed Tadge… I see a great future for Corvette and the other vehicles that Tony’s team will create.”

Tony Roma’s history with high-performance vehicles is extensive. Over the course of his career he’s been involved in a number of different high-performance programs, including spending time as manager of high-performance vehicle operations for GM Performance. His deep-rooted passion for cars is evident, as Roma himself owns several Corvettes—a C4 ZR1, C6 ZR1, and C8 Z06— as well as a CTS-V Wagon. His commitment and passion for performance is further highlighted by his certification to drive on the Nürburgring, where he has completed over 1500 laps during development sessions.

These are big shoes to fill, but we will work every day to continue the strong legacy this nameplate deserves. — Tony Roma, Corvette Executive Chief Engineer

In a press release, Roma expressed his respect for the legacy he is stepping into: “I’m approaching this opportunity with deep respect and admiration for the hard work from those who came before me, going back to the first-generation Corvette in the 1950s up to this day. Corvette earned and continues to earn its place in American car history thanks to the people behind it, like Tadge Juechter.”

In a press release, Roma expressed his respect for the legacy he is stepping into: “I’m approaching this opportunity with deep respect and admiration for the hard work from those who came before me, going back to the first-generation Corvette in the 1950s up to this day. Corvette earned and continues to earn its place in American car history thanks to the people behind it, like Tadge Juechter. These are big shoes to fill, but we will work every day to continue the strong legacy this nameplate deserves.”

Tadge Juechter, who spent 47 years at GM — 30 of those years with Corvette — is celebrated for his pioneering work in transforming the Corvette from a front-engined to a mid-engined sports car with the C8 generation, finally fulfilling Zora Duntov’s vision for the Corvette. His final contribution to the Corvette lineage will be the introduction of the twin-turbo ZR1, set to be revealed this summer. By that time, Roma will have taken over, with industry insiders confident that he is well-equipped to uphold and build upon Juechter’s legacy​.

Roma’s appointment signals a continued commitment to innovation and performance for the Corvette brand as it navigates the evolving automotive landscape, including the integration of electric and hybrid technologies. Enthusiasts and industry observers alike are eager to see the future developments under Roma’s leadership​.

Images courtesy of Chevrolet