A top public relations executive is leaving General Motors Corp. to oversee communications for United Airlines, trading the country's largest automaker for the third largest airline company.

The Chicago-based airliner today announced that Tony Cervone has been hired as chief communications officer and senior vice president of corporate communications. The 46-year-old Oakland Township resident starts Feb. 16 and will oversee internal and external communications, media and public relations and crisis communications for United and partnership communication with Star Alliance and Continental Airlines, which are forging an alliance with United beginning this fall.

'Tony is a proven leader with the right combination of applicable experience to hit the ground running and will be a great fit with the rest of our team,' said Pete McDonald, United's executive vice president and chief administrative officer.