Jack Ryan P’17, senior vice president, human resources at GE Capital, shared his business experiences and leadership knowledge with students and faculty on Feb. 19 in the LaRose Digital Theater.
Ryan shared GE’s business structure with students and the reasons for GE’s success in diverse industries all over the world.
“The reason we have been in business for 130 years is because we have invested in people and in products,” Ryan said.
Ryan emphasized the importance of being a humble leader and listening to what others have to say. He said GE hires passionate people with integrity.
“Every employee that we send a paycheck to we want connected to the organization strategy,” Ryan said. “We want them to know that what they do matters. Everybody has to be inspired, committed and be pushed hard.”
Ryan told students they need to be fanatical about excellence and to fight for innovation and new ideas in the work place.
“As a leader you’ve got to create an environment where character, confidence and contribution are recognized and rewarded,” Ryan said.
Ryan began his career at GE in 1989 in the Human Resources Management Program, holding roles of increasing responsibility in Aircraft Engines.
Before assuming his current role at GE Capital, Ryan was the vice president of human resources for GE’s aviation business, the world’s largest producer of small and large jet engines for commercial and military aircraft. GE Capital provides financial services and products to businesses globally, finishing 2012 with a net income of $7.4 billion from continuing operations.
In August 1995, Ryan was named Aircraft Engines’ Manager – Recruiting and Employment Practices. In March of 1997, he accepted the role of human resources manager for Aircraft Engines’ Commercial Engines Operation, and also served as co-chair of Aircraft Engines’ Diversity Council. In August 1999, he was named the HR manager for GE Industrial Systems Solutions business. He later led the Honeywell HR integration planning for Industrial Systems and was appointed the HR manager for Aircraft Engines’ Services organization.
A native of Albany, N.Y., Ryan is a 1989 graduate of Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He and his wife, Tricia, have three children, Patrick, a first-year student at Elon, Jackson and Mae Le Ping.