Begley to Lead GE Enterprise Solutions

FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt announced today that Charlene T. Begley has been named president and CEO of GE Enterprise Solutions, a new business that is focused on helping GE’s global customers increase their productivity through superior information management and automation solutions.

Begley, 40, has previously led GE’s Plastics, Transportation and GE Fanuc Automation units. She most recently served in a corporate role to help close the sale of GE Plastics to Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC). Begley and Jim Campbell, president and CEO of GE Consumer & Industrial, will report to GE Vice Chairman Lloyd Trotter through the end of 2007, when they will report to Immelt.

“In the competitive environment that our customers face today, accurate information and precise processes are the differentiators that define business success,” Immelt said. “GE Enterprise Solutions’ technology platforms simplify complex systems, integrating data streams from the shop floor to the boardroom.

“Charlene’s extensive industrial experience makes her the perfect person to run this advanced technology business,” Immelt said. “Under her leadership, this set of technology businesses will put GE’s manufacturing and financial experience to work for our customers.”

Begley said, “I am excited and honored to lead this great group of high-growth, high-tech GE businesses. We will focus on helping our customers grow by cross-pollinating our technologies and building world-class solutions differentiated through software and vertical domain expertise.”

GE Enterprise Solutions will have annual revenues of approximately $11.5 billion and includes:

• Equipment Services -- provides global transportation solutions
• Security -- provides communication and information technologies for security and life safety
• Sensing & Inspection -- provides sensors and non-destructive testing technology-driven inspection solutions
• GE Fanuc Automation -- provides automation solutions, embedded systems and computer numeric controls
• Multilin -- provides protection, metering, control and automation systems
• Power Quality -- provides innovative technology, service and support to the power quality industry
• Enterprise Solutions also will work closely with GE Energy Optimization and Controls business to broaden its current focus on the energy sector.

From July 2005 until May 2007, Begley was president and chief executive officer of GE Plastics, a $6.6 billion global plastics materials supplier that employs 10,300 people in 43 countries. Ms. Begley began her career at GE in 1988 and has since then held a variety of leadership roles in the company. They include vice president of operations at GE Capital Mortgage Services, quality leader and chief financial officer at GE Transportation Systems, director of finance for GE Plastics Europe, vice president of the GE Corporate Audit Staff, and in 2001, chief executive officer of GE Fanuc Automation. In January 2003, she was named president and chief executive officer of GE Transportation.

Ms. Begley serves on the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders, the Business Advisory Council at the University of Vermont, and the Board of the United Way, Berkshire County. A graduate of the University of Vermont, she and her husband have three daughters.

GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world’s toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.