GE Past Leaders: CEOs, Chairmen, President, History, Legacy

Past Leaders

Throughout our history, each of our leaders has had a restless drive for a better GE and a better world, and each has extended the company’s tradition of leadership development by encouraging the ingenuity of the people around them.

John F. Welch, Jr.Chairman & CEO, 1981 - 2001
Reginald H. JonesChairman & CEO, 1972 - 1981
Fred J. BorchChairman & CEO, 1967 - 1972President & CEO, 1963 - 1967
Gerald L. PhillippeChairman, 1963 - 1967President, 1961 - 1963
Ralph J. CordinerChairman & CEO, 1958 - 1963President, 1950 - 1958
Philip D. ReedChairman, 1945 - 1958, 1940 - 1942
Charles E. WilsonPresident, 1945 - 1950, 1940 - 1942
Owen D. YoungChairman, 1942 - 1945, 1922 - 1940
Gerard SwopePresident, 1942 - 1945, 1922 - 1940
E.W. RicePresident, 1913 - 1922
Charles A. CoffinChairman, 1913 - 1922President, 1892 - 1912

Did you know?

In 1969 Neil Armstrong took the first step on the moon with boots made from GE silicone rubber. Fred J. Borsch was presiding Chairman & CEO