Jeffrey Immelt
Currently the CEO and chairman of the board of the conglomerate General Electric, Jeffrey Immelt has diligently worked his way to the top of corporate ladder.
Born in Cincinatti, Ohio on February 19, 1956, Jeffrey Immelt was raised in a household where General Electric already had a strong presence. His father was part of the General Electric Aircraft Engines Division and greatly influenced Immelt’s goals for the company.
During his school years, he was active in sports activities and already showed leadership skills. After earning his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College, he entered Harvard University and in 1982 received his MBA.
Ever since Immelt joined GE in 1982, he has held various global positions, including significant roles for the Plastics, Appliance, and Medical divisions. He also served as an officer in 1989 and became a member of the GE Capital Board in 1997. A few years later, in 2000, he was chosen as the chief executive officer and president.
With Jeffrey Immelt at the helm of this multinational corporation, GE has earned several accolades, including being named “America’s Most Admired Company” by Fortune and one of “The World’s Most Respected Companies” by Barron’s and the Financial Times. In addition, Immelt himself has been dubbed three times as one of the “World’s Best CEOS” by Barron’s.