GE Plastics Makes Leadership Moves; Horbach, Motahari-Pour and Reeves to New GEP Executive Roles
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PITTSFIELD, Mass.--March 19, 2003--John Krenicki, President and CEO of GE Plastics, a division of General Electric Company headquartered here, announced today a series of executive moves designed to drive business growth in key markets and regions globally. Effective immediately, Krenicki has named Andre Horbach, 40, Vice President GEP Automotive; Golnar Motahari-Pour, 46, Vice President GEP Europe; and Hank Reeves, 43, Vice President GEP Americas. All three positions report directly to Krenicki.
In making the announcement, Krenicki emphasized the important role the leadership team plays in driving business growth globally. "The Plastics industry today is facing one of the most challenging periods ever in terms of global economic conditions, competitive pressures and the speed of new product and application development. Businesses that will succeed in the face of such challenges are those with a solid, experienced leadership team. I'm pleased that the changes we make today will support our future growth objectives and improve our tactical execution capabilities in any environment.
Andre Horbach has been named to the position of Vice President for the newly created GEP Automotive business. Horbach will be based in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands, which will serve as global headquarters for the new GEP Automotive business unit. Horbach previously served as Vice President of GEP Europe, a position he has held since 2002. His previous experience includes serving as CEO of GE-Bayer Silicones, Business Manager for the Noryl and Ultem businesses in Europe, Lexan Chemical Operations and Finishing Manager for GEP Europe and PPO Plant Manager for Manufacturing Operations in Bergen op Zoom. Horbach, who joined GE in 1988 as a Process Engineer for GE Plastics Europe, holds a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
"The global automotive business is a huge growth opportunity for us today and in the future. I'm excited to have Andre's leadership driving a renewed focus and energy on this important market," said Krenicki. "Andre's expertise in customer relations, marketing and product development will be key factors in the success of our automotive growth strategy."
Golnar Motahari-Pour will replace Horbach as Vice President, GE Plastics Europe. Motahari-Pour returns to Plastics after nearly three years with GE Consumer Products, where she served as President and CEO of GECP Europe and, previously, President and CEO of GE Lighting Europe. Prior to joining GECP, Motahari-Pour spent seven years with GE Plastics Europe, holding positions as GM, Structured Products, Automotive Marketing Director, High Performance Product Manager and Automotive Interiors Manager. Prior to joining GE Plastics in 1993, Motahari-Pour served as European Marketing Manager for Rohm & Haas Performance Plastics in Antwerp, Belgium and European Market Development Manager for Rohm & Haas Specialty Chemicals, also in Antwerp.
Motahari-Pour earned a Master of Arts degree from Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and has performed postgraduate studies in Ecology at the Faculty of Applied Sciences at ULB. In her new role, Motahari-Pour will be based in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands.
"I'm pleased to welcome Golnar back to the Plastics business," commented Krenicki. "Her invaluable experience in creating and driving growth strategies in the region, as well as her incredible knowledge of the plastics and chemical industries, will serve us well as we drive new opportunities in Europe."
Hank Reeves joins GE Plastics as Vice President of GEP Americas. Reeves joins GEP from GE Capital, where he most recently served as Chief Commercial Officer for GE Mortgage Insurance. Reeves joined GE in 1988 as Vice President and Business Development Leader GE Capital's Vendor Financial Services (VFS) business unit. He was named VP and National Sales Manager in 1991, Senior Vice President and Industry General Manager in 1994 and a Group Vice President for VFS in 1997. Prior to joining GE, Reeves served in a variety of business leadership roles with Chase Manhattan and Marine Midland Banks. Reeves holds a BS in Finance from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. In his new position, Reeves will be based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Reeves replaces Gerry Podesta, who has left to pursue opportunities outside the Company.
"The business environment in the Americas is one of the toughest we have ever seen for the plastics industry. Hank's proven commercial leadership, as well as his strong financial expertise, will be a great benefit to us as we manage the challenges and opportunities of driving growth in the Americas," said Krenicki.
GE Plastics is a leading producer of engineering thermoplastics with major production facilities worldwide. GE Plastics materials, including LEXAN(R) polycarbonate, are used in a wide variety of applications such as CDs and DVDs, automobile parts, computer housings, cookware, outdoor signage, cell phones, bullet- resistant shielding and building materials. Through its LNP Engineering Plastics business, the company is a worldwide leader in the custom compounding of engineering thermoplastics. GE Plastics is also a global distributor of sheet, film, rod and tube products through GE Polymershapes and GE Structured Products. In 2003 GE Plastics is celebrating 50 years of innovation and the 50th Anniversary of LEXAN polycarbonate, discovered in 1953 by GE chemist Dr. Daniel W. Fox. The company's website is located at www.geplastics.com, and to learn more about LEXAN visit www.gelexan.com.
LEXAN is a registered trademark of General Electric Company
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