General Electric (GE) is a group indulging in multifarious activities, ranging from financial and technological to manufacturing services, with operations in more than 100 countries. From light bulbs to aircraft engines, GE is one of the 10 largest global industrial firms with the highest market value in the US. General Electric traces its roots to Thomas Edison, who was the founder of Edison Electric Light Company in 1878. This company followed the establishment of the laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, from where had emerged the greatest invention of all- a successful incandescent electric lamp. By 1890, Edison had organized his various concerns into the Edison Electric Company. The Thomson-Houston Company and the various companies that had merged to form it were led by Charles A. Coffin, a former shoe manufacturer from Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1892, these two major companies were merged to form the General Electric Company. Initially, GE focused on the production of incandescent lamps. During the next twenty years, the company produced X-ray equipments and turbine generators. In 1921, GE made considerable changes to the vacuum tube, which brought about an era of modern electronics and radio communications. By 1920s, the company was engaged in producing power systems for planes, trains and automobiles. GE produced the first television network in 1940 when its TV station WRGB became the first to transmit television broadcasts from New York City. Over the next few years, GE diversified its activities into nuclear reactors, space vehicles, medical systems, fiber optics, insurance and other arenas. Several of Edison's initial business offerings are a part of GE today. These include lighting, transportation, power transmission, industrial products and medical equipments. Today GE's products and services range over to so many countries, that the company has created as many as 11 separate divisions to manage them all: Advanced Materials, Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance, Consumer & Industrial, Energy, Equipment Services, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Insurance, Transportation and NBC Universal. GE leaders, over the years have created a diverse group of leading businesses, powerful Company-wide initiatives, financial strength and a set of common values that allow benefiting from opportunities through various phases. Jeffery R. Immelt, 48, is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of GE. Immelt, who was appointed to this post on September 7, 2001, is the ninth CEO of GE in its 126-year history. Prior to occupying this coveted post, he served as President and Chairman-elect of GE from November 2000. From 1997 to 2000, he had been President and CEO of GE Medical Systems, which is today a $12 billion leader in the healthcare industry. Beginning his GE career in 1982, over the last 22 years, Immelt has led the GE's Plastics, Appliance and Medical businesses globally. In 1989, he became the Officer of GE, and joined the GE Capital Board in 1997. He is also a member of two non-profit organizations, namely, Catalyst, devoted to advancing women in business; and Robin Hood, focused on addressing poverty issues in New York City. Immelt holds a B. A. degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard University, in 1982. GE, under his headship has continued to achieve high rating in all spheres of its activities. On a recently conducted survey, GE was rated as number one for integrity and corporate governance and number three in the world for corporate social responsibility. It was ranked first for achieving shareholder value by the fund managers, and received high marks from the media. From "We Bring Good Things to Life" to "Progress is Our Most Important Product" and "Live Better Electrically", GE has a rich tradition of continuous progress. From jet engines to power generation, plastics to financial services, and medical imaging to news and information, the GE community all over is dedicated to transform imagination into primary products and services that would solve some of the world's toughest problems.