Summary: David L. Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Aviation, will be awarded the National Defense Industrial Association's (NDIA) prestigious James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award on March 17, 2015 in recognition of his lifelong support for a strong defense industrial base.
ARLINGTON, Va., March 16, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) will award David L. Joyce, President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Aviation, its highest industry award—the prestigious James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award in recognition of his lifelong support for a strong defense industrial base.
NDIA's Forrestal Award is to be presented on Tuesday, March 17 by NDIA Chairman Arnold Punaro, CEO Craig McKinley, and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center's Atrium Auditorium in Washington, DC. It is named in honor of James Forrestal, former Secretary of the Navy and the first U.S. Secretary of Defense. It is bestowed annually on a defense industry executive who has made unmatched contribution to the defense and aerospace industry.
"Throughout his entire career, David Joyce has personified the roles of innovator and leader both in General Electric and as a game changer in our defense and aerospace industries," said NDIA Chairman Arnold Punaro. "He truly embodies the spirit of the James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award. His highly successful efforts reflect the technological genius of GE's founder Thomas Edison and the industrial acumen of Secretary of Defense James Forrestal by bringing leading-edge technology and best practices to government to enhance our military capabilities. His love of and commitment to our men and women in uniform is unwavering."
For over 34 years, Mr. Joyce has been at the forefront of technological change, beginning as a product engineer working on engine design and development. From that position he rose through the ranks of GE Aviation to become a globally-recognized innovator in aircraft propulsion and services. He leads an organization at GE that, as a stand-alone company at $24 billion in annual revenues, is in the top tier of all defense industry companies.
Technological advancement has been the cornerstone of Mr. Joyce's career at a time when it has also been the key center of gravity for U.S. military might. Mr. Joyce has strongly advocated for the very best and highest performing engines and systems for U.S. military aircraft and other platforms. Under his leadership, GE Aviation has invested its own funds to bring to the military market the best technology and support GE has to offer.
Prior to becoming CEO, Mr. Joyce's background was in commercial engine development, production and sales. His first job at GE Aviation, however, was as a design engineer involved with the creation of turbine components for the GE F101 engine that powered the USAF B-1 Bomber. The GE F101 was the foundation for the GE F110 engine powering the F-16. Since taking the helm at GE Aviation, Mr. Joyce has infused industry best practices derived from the commercial market in the company's offerings to the U.S. military marketplace to efficiently and cost effectively serve its demands around the globe.
As the CEO, with its $24 billion annual sales with 44,000 employees in 83 global sites, David Joyce has demonstrated a rare constancy of purpose, business and engineering skills, and a hands-on leadership style widely admired by his peers and emulated by his competitors. His leadership has directly led to a backlog of orders in excess of $125 billion.
Beyond engines, Mr. Joyce led the way on improvements to military and civil avionics products and systems for flight management, cockpit display, platform computing, interface controls and air traffic management systems. His technological leadership extends even to materials sciences with GE Aviation's Ceramic Matrix Composite Program. His revolutionary advances inside and outside of the military marketplace have blazed a trail for our troops to gain the benefit of significant commercial development and investment. He has worked to dismantle the barriers between the commercial and military marketplaces that too often keep our warfighters from getting the very best technology and equipment, on behalf of all industry.
Mr. Joyce's commitment to our troops and our industry is reflected in his leadership of GE's Veterans Affiliation Group and a leader in GE's commitment to hire and train our veterans. His exceptional corporate leadership is underpinned by an unbroken record of community service to include co-chairing the education task force of the Cincinnati Business Committee, on the boards of the United Way, Xavier University, and the Cincinnati College of Engineering, and underscored by being named to the National Academy of Engineering in 2014.
As an industry leader, he is the Chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association, Chairman of the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum, and a Director of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation Board.
About The James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award:
The James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award is a Defense Industry leadership award. The award is named in honor of James Forrestal, who was Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of Defense, and serves to recognize his support for a strong defense industrial base. The Forrestal Award recognizes outstanding leaders of companies in the defense industrial base. It is bestowed annually on a defense industry executive who best reflects Secretary Forrestal's support for a strong industrial base.
The awardees meet the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen
- Strong record of business accomplishments
- Broad understanding of the vital role the industrial base plays in ensuring the nation's security
- Keen political instincts
- An active supporter of the defense industrial base and its programs
- Company must be NDIA Corporate Member
NDIA and its predecessor organizations (ADPA and NSIA) have given annual awards since 1979.
Previous Award Recipients include:
- Honorable Sean O'Keefe, CEO & Chairman, Airbus Group (2014)
- Wesley G. Bush, CEO & President, Northrop Grumman Corporation (2013)
- Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Frm. Chairman of BOD and CEO, EADS North America (2012)
- Robert J. Stevens, Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin (2011)
- James F. Albaugh, President and CEO, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (2010)
- Ronald D. Sugar, Chairman, CEO and President, Northrop Grumman Corporation (2009)
About NDIA:
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America's leading Defense Industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between Industry and Government on National Security issues. NDIA members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through its divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.
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