James LeBlanc

Jim is the technology director for GE Research’s Electrical Systems organization. In this role Jim leads a team of 170 scientists and engineers who cover an integrated technology stack that spans electric power systems, electric machines, and power electronics as well as semiconductors, microelectronics, and microsystems. He manages all aspects of electrical and electronics systems and component technology development at GE Research and helps drive strategic technology planning for the GE businesses.

In addition, Jim leads GE Research’s Electrification and Advanced Electronics externals campaigns where he’s building the business’s position as a critical thought leader in the electrical systems space. Jim defines opportunities for GE to work with U.S. government partners and helps shape the technology needs that correspond with those opportunities.

Jim has held a number of positions since joining GE Research in 1999. He spent more than a decade partnering with GE Healthcare to bring advanced CT, X-ray, and PET technologies to market. Jim also led the advancement of key solar technologies at GE Research. He and his team set multiple world record efficiencies in thin film cadmium telluride photovoltaics.

Jim is an advisory board member for Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He also represents GE Research as a member in the U.S. government’s Manufacturing USA consortia. Jim holds 32 patents in the areas of imaging detectors, electronics, and instrumentation.

Jim holds a PhD in Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences from the University of Michigan and served five years as a submarine officer in the United States Navy.