Siena College is honored to have the opportunity to recognize Mr. Jeffrey Immelt, Chairman and CEO of one of the most influential and innovative organizations in the world. Mr. Immelt has held several global leadership positions since coming to GE in 1982, including roles in GE's Plastics, Appliances, and Healthcare businesses. In 1989 he became an officer of GE and joined the GE Capital Board in 1997.
Mr. Immelt has been named one of the "World's Best CEOs" three times by Barron's, and since he began serving as chief executive officer, GE has been named "America's Most Admired Company" in a poll conducted by Fortune magazine and one of "The World's Most Respected Companies" in polls by Barron's and the Financial Times. He also has been named to Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
Mr. Immelt was the chair of President Obama's Council on Jobs and Copetitiveness, which was created to provide non-partisan advice to the President on continuing to strengthen the Nation's economy and ensure the competitiveness of the United States. The Council sought to provide insight on ways to create jobs, opportunity and prosperity for the American people.
He currently serves on the board of directors for Robin Hood, New York's largest poverty-fighting organization focused on finding, funding and creating programs and schools that generate meaningful results for families in New York City's poorest neighborhoods. He is a member of The American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Mr. Immelt earned a B.A. degree in applied mathematics in 1978 from Dartmouth College, where he currently serves on the board of trustees. He also holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University. He and his wife Andrea, have one daughter.
In recognition of his lifetime of exemplary achievement, leadership, and service in the public, private, and non-profit sectors of our society, Siena College awards Mr. Jeffrey Immelt the honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities.
