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