FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2002--The General Electric Company announced today that Jeff Schaper has been named Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and a member of GE's Corporate Executive Council (CEC).
Schaper has been Vice President, Sales for GE Industrial Systems since 1997. As GE's new CCO, he will be responsible for developing the talent and tools necessary to support GE customers. He will provide leadership for boundaryless sales, customer programs, the Commercial Leadership Program and initiatives on sales force effectiveness.
"Jeff is ideally suited to help accelerate our commercial activities and drive better customer centricity throughout the company," GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt said when making the announcement. "His multi-business, global sales and marketing experience will be a benefit to both our customers and employees."
The creation of this new role further demonstrates GE's commitment to being more growth oriented and externally focused. Schaper has extensive sales and marketing experience in several GE businesses including GE Plastics, GE Medical Systems and GE Industrial Systems. Over the past 30 years he has successfully managed commercial activities through several different economic trends with both long- and short-cycle businesses.
Two key roles have been created to assist Schaper. Ed Steinike will become Commercial CIO and will focus on delivering tools and resources to benefit the sales force. Cynthia Tragge-Lakra has been named Manager, Commercial Leadership & Development and is responsible for developing a rich pipeline of commercial talent.
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Janet Brown, 203/373-2241