Every day is Father's Day at GM Design

The business of cars has become a family affair in some General Motors creative studios, with dads at the forefront of career inspiration.

GM pulled together some of their stories.

Several of Buick's lead designers credit their fathers' careers in cars as a launching pad for their own endeavors. Researchers say this should come at no surprise: Growing up in an environment around cars is bound to make an impact.

Vice President of Design Ed Welburn can relate. He says growing up around his dad's Philadelphia auto body repair inspired his interest in cars. With support from his father, Welburn attended Howard University's College of Fine Arts studying sculpture and product design before joining the GM team.

"If it weren't for the fact that he owned that business, I don't know that I would have been as interested in cars as I am," he says in a statement from GM.

Getting down and dirty with cars has almost become tradition for some GM families. Director of Buick Design Liz Wetzel, who has been working with the creative minds of General Motors for the past 30 years, is the fourth generation in her family to spearhead a career in cars.

Wetzel, the company's first female design chief, follows in the footsteps of her father who was a GM vice president and engineer. Her grandfather worked for Chrysler, while her great-grandfather worked for Hudson Motor Co. as a tool-and-die maker.

Buick sculptor Roman Lys has watched both of his sons, Daniel and Robert Lys, follow in his footsteps straight to GM Design. Robert says his skills are a mix of nature and nurture, crediting natural talent passed down from his father honed by training and schooling.

While neither son designs for Buick, the two find themselves busy working for GM's other brands.

Matt Brancheau, sculptor in the Buick studio, says his father's career as a metal model maker sparked his interest in creating cars of his own.

"He is a true artist at what he does," Brancheau says to GM.

His sister also found her calling in automotive design, creating convertible tops for a competitor automotive company.