NISKAYUNA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2005--Mark M. Little, 52, has been named Director of GE Global Research, the centralized research organization of General Electric (NYSE: GE). Little becomes the ninth director of the organization that was founded in 1900 and was the first industrial lab in the United States. He succeeds Scott C. Donnelly, who left in July to become president and CEO of GE Aircraft Engines.
Little comes from GE Energy's power generation business in Schenectady, where he has served as Vice President since 1997. Little has been with GE for 27 years.
"Mark Little is an outstanding leader with a proven track record and the deep technical background needed to head the Research Center," Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt said. "Now, more than ever, GE's growth depends upon our ability to innovate and bring new and better products to market. I know Mark will provide the leadership that is needed to keep GE at the forefront of innovative technology.
Immelt added, "We're placing big bets in major areas such as sustainable energy, biotechnology and nanotechnology to help fuel the future growth of the company, and the Research organization is the epicenter of where these investments come to life."
Mark M. Little said, "GE Global Research has been the engine driving innovation and growth for GE's businesses for more than a century. Coming from the energy business, I have a firsthand appreciation for how new technologies are impacting and transforming markets. I will work hard every day to continue in the great tradition of my predecessors and keep GE at the forefront of technology leadership."
Michael Idelchik, who has been serving as interim director since July, will return to his role as vice president of Advanced Technologies for GE Global Research. In this role, he oversees the company's longest range, highest impact research endeavors. With major programs in nanotechnology, energy conversion, molecular imaging and diagnostics, advanced propulsion, organic electronics and sustainable energy, the Advanced Technology office represents significant investments in emerging technologies that will drive the next generation of products for all GE businesses.
About the New GE Global Research Director
Mark Little joined GE in 1978, starting in the Company's turbine business. After holding several management positions in engineering, he was named product general manager for generators in 1989. In 1991, he became general manager of business development for GE Energy, responsible for strategic planning and joint venture development.
In 1992, he was appointed product general manager for gas turbines and in 1994 was named vice president, power generation engineering. He assumed responsibility for the large turbine generator segments of power generation in 1997 and in 2004 was named to lead the combined thermal, wind and hydropower generation group.
Mark holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in mechanical engineering from Tufts and Northeastern universities, respectively, and in 1982 earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
GE's Commitment to Technology
Under Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt's leadership, GE has vastly expanded its global research and development (R&D) presence and level of commitment and investment in technology research. GE opened two new R&D facilities abroad -- in Shanghai, China in 2002 and Munich, Germany in 2004 -- complementing its R&D headquarters in Niskayuna, New York and additional research facility in Bangalore, India.
In 2002, Immelt announced a $100 million multi-year renovation project to modernize the Global Research headquarters in Niskayuna. As part of the renovations, a new wing was built to facilitate research in the emerging sciences of biotechnology and nanotechnology.
In May 2005, Immelt launched a major company initiative called Ecomagination. Ecomagination represents GE's commitment to aggressively drive and bring to market new technologies that help its customers address their most pressing energy and environmental challenges. Under Ecomagination, GE has pledged to more than double its level of investment in the development of new, environmental-friendly technologies from $700 million to $1.5 billion over the next five years. Much of that core research is being done by GE Global Research.
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research organizations, providing innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, and is now focused on developing breakthrough innovations in areas such as molecular medicine, energy conversion, nanotechnology, advanced propulsion and security technologies. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India; Shanghai, China; and Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.research.ge.com.
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