Paolo Fresco, former president of Fiat from 1998 to 2003, has died at the age of 93. He was appointed to the role by Gianni Agnelli in 1998 and served until 2003. Fresco was nicknamed "the American" for his long career at General Electric, where he worked for thirty years alongside CEO Jack Welch. During his tenure at Fiat, the partnership agreement with General Motors was negotiated. Fresco was an internationally known Italian manager. La Stampa also recalled his ties to Genoa and his childhood connection with the Villaggio neighbourhood.