CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2006--GE today announces that Eric LaBat has been named Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the company's Rail Services unit. Mr. LaBat will be responsible for developing strategic marketing plans and driving growth and innovation breakthroughs for the business. The position - new to Rail Services - reflects the development of a cross-business Equipment Services marketing team that will focus its efforts in 2006 on new growth initiatives, including services, asset intelligence and geographic expansion.
Mr. LaBat's organization will be performing in-depth studies of customers and markets, that will ensure a successful launch of the company's new services, Maintenance Max and RailWise, and develop multi-generation product plans. The Rail Services marketing organization will manage activities that include strategic marketing, channel marketing, enterprise marketing, brand strategy, and marketing research and analytics.
"We are delighted that Eric has taken on this role within Rail Services," said Ted Torbeck, President & CEO for GE Equipment Services, Rail Services. "This new role is consistent with GE's push to develop a stronger marketing competency across all businesses where innovation is driven by customer needs and industry demands."
Prior to accepting the CMO role, Mr. LaBat held key positions for Rail Services in the Food, Agriculture and Minerals and Intermodal business units as a Vice President of Sales. Prior to joining GE, Mr. LaBat spent 15 years with Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation, holding various roles in marketing, business development and sales leadership. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1987 where he earned a B.A. Degree in Journalism.
About GE Equipment Services, Rail Services
A unit of the General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) and GE Equipment Services, Rail Services, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, leases approximately 170,000 railroad cars--including grain hoppers, coal hoppers, tank cars, boxcars, plastics and other specialty hoppers, mill gondola, intermodal flat cars that carry highway semi trailers and intermodal containers. Additionally, the company leases 150,000 intermodal trailers, containers and chassis to shippers and railroads. For further information, visit http://www.ge.com/railservices.
Contacts
GE Rail Services, Chicago
Frank Mantero, 312-853-5557
[email protected]
Britta Kons
GE Healthcare Global Services
[email protected]
1-203-400-1892