Full Name: Jeffrey Stitt
Position: Chief compliance officer, GE Africa
Main Activity of the Company: GE is a diversified infrastructure company, taking on the world’s toughest challenges in key sectors like aviation, energy, healthcare and rail transportation. In Africa, it has a presence in 35 countries and a staff complement of 1 500 employees
Date and Place of Birth: October 13, 1965, Kansas City, Missouri, US
Education: BS (mechanical engineering) (cum laude), University of Missouri, Rolla, 1989; MS (mechanical engineering), University of Cincinnati, 1995
First Job: Newspaper delivery boy, 1978
Career History Prior to Current Position: 2002, GE Capital (Fleet Services), quality leader; 2004, GE Capital (Fleet Services), compliance leader; 2008, GE Capital Bank, chief compliance officer; 2012, GE Africa, chief compliance officer
Size of First Pay Packet: $2 500 a month
First Job with Present Group: Manufacturing training programme – production and repair engineering
Value of Assets under Your Control: GE is building the world by providing capital, expertise and infrastructure for a global economy. GE Capital has provided billions in financing so businesses can build and grow their operations and consumers can build their financial futures. We build appliances, lighting, power systems and other products that help millions of homes, offices, factories and retail facilities around the world work better
Number of People under Your Leadership: 1 500 GE Africa employees
Management Style: Approachable, fair and ideas driven
Personal Best Achievement: Not stated
Professional Best Achievement: Not stated
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My lovely wife, Michele, who has been a friend, a confidante and my number one supporter
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Jim Diersing, my first manager – he taught me I could go anywhere and do anything
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Larry Page and Sergey Brin – the folks at Google are transforming industries and the way we act. I would love to hear what they think is coming next
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs – his focus and ability to create new paradigms were legendary. He was the Thomas Edison of our generation
Philosophy of Life: A work-life balance is key. Enjoy every minute with your children – they grow up way too fast
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being afforded the opportunity to be a part of the GE Africa team
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not having my father around to see my children growing up
Hope for the Future: I hope that we will be able to do a better job of educating our children, who are our hope for the future
Favourite Reading: Right now, I am reading a lot about Africa – Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela, and Africa, by Richard Dowden, are great books
Favourite TV Programme: I don’t watch much TV, but right now my son and I are watching the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series
Favourite Food/Drink: Steak/ginger beer
Favourite Music: US country music – Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood
Favourite Sport: I had the best time coaching my son’s football team – it is nice to be here, where you can watch it on TV
Favourite Website: WashingtonPost.com
Hobbies: Church service activities, travel and reading
Pets: None yet, but we are looking to get a dog this year
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are mean or do not listen
Favourite Other South African Company: South African Airways (SAA) – I spend so much time in the air and SAA does a nice job. I feel safe when I am flying with the airline
Married: To Michele, since March 1998
Children: John, 13; Kate, 9
Clubs: Real Salt Lake, in the US, and the Springboks, locally