Full Name: Timothy Joel Schweikert

Position: President and CEO of GE South Africa and president and CEO of GE Transportation in sub-Saharan Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Building GE’s business in Southern Africa and the GE Transportation business in Africa

Date and Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, March 17, 1961

Education: BS (mechanical engineering), Marquette University, 1984; MS (industrial engineering), University of Cincinnati, 1987

First Job: GE Aviation, 1984

Career History Prior to Current Position: GE Aviation, 1984 to 2003; GE Transportation, 2004 to date

Size of First Pay Packet: I cannot remember

First Job with Present Group: Engineer in manufacturing, GE Aviation

Value of Assets under Your Control: $500-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 500

Management Style: Staying focused on customers, developing and empowering people and creating an environment where people can collaborate and be successful at their jobs

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father, who was a teacher

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: I learn the most from the people that I work with – members of my team, who point out the mistakes I make

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Nelson Mandela, Bono and Pope Francis. All have an interest in improving the lives of the least privileged

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Larry Ellison. Having started with nothing, he runs a world-class software company but finds time to race sailboats and buy islands in Hawaii

Philosophy of Life: Work hard at what you love but do not let work become the love of your life

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Working and living overseas in China and Africa

Biggest Ever Disappointment: My golf game

Hope for the Future: That there is better understanding between people through dialogue and an appreciation of differences

Favourite Reading: Nonfiction and history. I recently read Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara

Favourite TV Programme: Nova

Favourite Food/Drink: Pasta/red wine

Favourite Music: Contemporary. I have also enjoyed listening to Chinese string instruments and I am learning about African folk and contemporary music

Favourite Sport: Golf

Favourite Website: Anything with up-to-date news, such as the Wall Street Journal website

Hobbies: I like to try new restaurants and wines

Pets: None – I love dogs but I travel so much that I think it would be unfair to have one

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Traffic jams, dropped calls, delayed flights and bureaucracy

Favourite Other South African Company: Too many to list

Married: Divorced

Children: None

Clubs: Calloway Irons, Taylor Made Woods