Former chairman and CEO, General ElectricBorn: Nov. 19, 1935, Peabody, Mass. Education: Bachelor's i...

1. CNBC 25: Jack Welch
Former chairman and CEO, General Electric
Born: Nov. 19, 1935, Peabody, Mass.
Education: Bachelor's in chemical engineering, University of
Massachusetts Amherst; master's and Ph.D., University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
An employee-manager rather than an owner-entrepreneur,
John F. "Jack" Welch is a rarity on our anniversary list of the most transformative leaders, icons and
rebels of the past quarter-century. Yet as chairman and CEO of General Electric, he defined
American corporate management in the late 20th century through innovative leadership and his
forceful, down-to-earth style. As Warren Buffett is to investing, so Welch is to the corner office.
Trained as a chemical engineer, Welch joined GE Plastics in Pittsfield, Mass., in 1960 after earning
his Ph.D. Despite early misgivings about GE's bureaucracy that almost made him leave the company,
Welch rapidly rose up the ranks. By 1972, he had become a vice president and within five years was
a senior vice president. Two years later, he was one of three vice chairmen to audition to succeed
the highly regarded Reginald Jones in the top job.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101581184