David L. Calhoun, president and CEO of GE Transportation will address the 2005 graduates at Virginia Tech's 133rd commencement ceremonies at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13, in Lane Stadium/Worsham Field.

Calhoun, a 1979 graduate of Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business and member of the Pamplin Advisory Council, has been with GE his entire career, working in various divisions of the company in positions of increasing responsibility.

After completing the GE Financial Management Program in 1981, Calhoun joined the GE Corporate audit staff. In 1986, he was named manager of programs and planning for the GE Corporate audit staff.

After managing GE Capital's marketing programs for leveraged buyouts, Calhoun was appointed staff executive at GE's Corporate executive office in 1989, and later that year moved to GE Plastics where he was named marketing manager for the Americas. Calhoun was subsequently named vice president of GE's Corporate audit staff and was elected an officer of General Electric Company.

He was appointed president, Pacific region, of GE Plastics in 1994. Appointed president and CEO of GE Transportation Systems in 1995, Calhoun went on to serve as president and CEO of GE Lighting, GE's Employers Reinsurance Corporation, and GE Aircraft Engines. When the latter integrated with GE Rail in January 2004, Calhoun was named GE Transportation's president and CEO.

GE Transportation's products and services include jet engines for military and civil aircraft, freight and passenger locomotives, motorized systems for mining trucks and drills, and gas turbines for marine and industrial applications.

Each May, approximately 5,000 Virginia Tech undergraduate, graduate, and professional students complete their degree requirements and participate in commencement ceremonies. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 family members and guests travel to Blacksburg to join graduating students.

For more information on Virginia Tech spring commencement activities, visit the commencement website.

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