His secret weapon at Nextlink is its chairman, Daniel Akerson, the former president of MCI.

FORBES: "We're On A Collision Course"

Then in July 2009, Daniel Akerson was named to the GM board on behalf of the U.S. Treasury, which at the time owned a 61% stake in the company.

FORBES: Should the "New GM" Thank Wagoner?

General Motors is still a year away from negotiating a new labor agreement with the United Auto Workers, but already the new chief executive, Daniel Akerson, is offering a message of goodwill.

FORBES: GM's Akerson to UAW: I Come In Peace