General Electric Co. picked the head of its jet-engine business to become a vice chairman, reflecting the increasing prominence of aerospace manufacturing within the company.
David Joyce, chief executive officer of GE Aviation since 2008, will oversee that business and 3D technology, GE said in a statement Monday. He was appointed leader of 3D printing operations, also known as additive manufacturing, on Sept. 6 as the Boston-based company announced plans to acquire a pair of companies in the field.
Joyce has held several roles in GE’s military- and commercial-engine operations since joining the company in 1980. Under Joyce, GE Aviation has become GE’s largest division, with sales increasing 28 percent in that span to $24.7 billion last year. GE, through the CFM International venture with France’s Safran SA, recently introduced the Leap engine, a fuel-efficient model powering new aircraft from Boeing Co. and Airbus Group SE.
He joins John Rice, who runs GE’s global operations, and Beth Comstock, the head of business innovations, as vice chairmen. Keith Sherin, who has held the title since 2007, plans to retire at year-end. GE vice chairmen don’t hold seats on the board.