Corporate governance at GE centers on integrity, hence, the independence of its board, as evidenced by its composition where 12 out of its 15 directors are independent. The board is composed of a group of corporate executives backed by experience and technical expertise.

Members of the board connected with GE include Jeffrey Immelt, Sir William Castell and Roger Penske.

• Jeffrey Immelt is chairman of the board and chief executive officer (CEO) of GE. Named one of the “World’s Best CEOs” thrice by Barron’s, he has been with GE since 1982.
• Sir William Castell, was the chief executive of Amersham in 1989 before its amalgamation to GE in 2004, where he then served as CEO of GE Healthcare.
• Roger S. Penske is chairman for Penske Group of Companies. He has served GE as director of the board since 1994.

The 12 independent directors in GE’s Board are current and previous heads of global companies who also sit on the board of various corporations and nonprofit organizations.

• Alan Lafley presently heads Procter & Gamble Company as its chairman, president and CEO. He began serving GE’s board in 2002.
• Andrea Jung, chairman and CEO of Avon Products, Inc., has served in GE’s Board since 1998.
• Ann M. Fudge, former Chairman and CEO for Young and Rubicam Brands, has worked with GE as director since 1999.
• Douglas Warner III worked previously as chairman for J.P. Morgan & Chase before he served as director for GE in 1992.
• Dr. James Cash, Jr., formerly with Cornell University, has been director for GE’s Board since 1997.
• James Mulva is chairman, president and CEO of ConocoPhillips. He has been with GE as director since 2008.
• Ralph Larsen was previously CEO for Johnson and Johnson and has been with GE’s Board since 2002.
• Robert Lane has been director for GE since 2005 while heading Deere & Company as Chairman and CEO.
• Robert Swieringa, an accounting professor at Cornell University, has served in GE’s board since 2002.
• Rochelle Lazarus is chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide and has been a GE director since 2000.
• Sam Nunn is co-chairman and CEO of Nuclear Threat Initiative and has served in GE’s Board since 1997.
• Dr. Susan Hockfield is currently President of M.I.T. in Cambridge and has worked with GE as director since 2006.

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Furthermore, Edison went beyond the field of research and engaged in business so that everyone has access to his innovations. From electric bulbs to electric fans, from heating and cooking devices to the dynamo, aircraft engines, his advocacy in research, invention, as well as entrepreneurship, was the foundation of GE tradition. Edison’s legacy in science and business is still part of GE today. Through the years, GE’s leaders have come up with a varied collection of businesses; a stream of powerful company-wide ideas that encourages growth drives growth and cuts cost; financial strength and controllership that results in takes advantage of opportunities; and good values that help it confidently face any environment.

In the mid 20th century, the GE research lab brought many new technologies to customers. Along the way, GE scientists became the recipient of numerous patents and received two Nobel prizes when Irving Langmuir won it for Chemistry in 1932, and Ivar Giaever won it in 1973, for Physics. Furthermore, the company also received numerous awards. They ranked first in Global Most Admired Companies in 2005 and in America’s Most Admired Companies in 2006. On April 14 2009, the company was selected by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2009.

General Electric emphasizes “Ecomagination” to pursue energy efficient technology, lower-emission engines, water purification technology, and many more, to ensure a better, safer, and cleaner tomorrow. Today, GE is a global infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges shaping our world with groundbreaking innovations and carrying a rich tradition of research and imagination for 130 years.

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