Victor Abate

Biography

Victor (Vic) Abate was named GE’s Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President in September 2015.  Vic is responsible for one of the world's largest and most diversified industrial research and technology organizations. Vic leads 50,000 engineers across GE and 2,000 scientists at GE Global Research. GE Global Research is where GE’s next breakthrough inventions are born, fueling the company's long-range technology needs. Research facilities are located in the United States, India, China, Germany and Brazil, working in collaboration with GE businesses around the world. In his previous role, Vic served as the President & CEO of Gas Power Systems for GE Power, overseeing worldwide operations of GE’s heavy-duty gas turbine, steam turbine, generator and controls businesses. In this role, he led the development of GE’s HA gas turbine, which powers the world’s most efficient combined cycle power plant, located in France. The business has the largest delivered fleet of gas turbines in the world with more than 7,400 turbines operating in 112 countries and manufacturing in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. From 2005 to 2013, Vic was President & CEO of GE’s Renewable Energy business, one of the world’s leading suppliers of renewable energy technology. In this role, Vic led the development and launch of GE’s 1.6-100 onshore wind turbine and GE’s 2.5-120 brilliant wind turbine, both of which were recognized as game changing products in the industry. Vic began his GE career in 1990 and has held several management roles in engineering, services, production, and quality. In 1996, he led the large turbine generator business as the quality leader and was subsequently appointed general manager of generator technology. In 1999, Vic assumed responsibility for leading the gas turbine volume ramp up in GE’s Power Generation segment, and in late 2000 he was appointed general manager of steam turbine technology. In 2003, he became a GE company officer as the vice president of technology for power generation, which included technology for gas, steam, wind, solar, and hydro-turbine generators, gasification technologies, and integrated gasification combined cycle. Prior to joining GE, Vic worked for Allied Signal and Zurn Industries and was responsible for mechanical drive technology and new product development. Vic is a member of the Board of Directors of UI Labs and previously served as President of the Board of Directors of the American Wind Energy Association. Originally from Williamstown, Massachusetts, he holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Union College, and an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He and his wife Karen have four children and reside in Saratoga Springs, New York. Victor (Vic) Abate was named GE’s Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President in September 2015.  Vic is responsible for one of the world's largest and most diversified industrial research and technology organizations. Vic leads 50,000 engineers across GE and 2,000 scientists at GE Global Research. GE Global Research is where GE’s next breakthrough inventions are born, fueling the company's long-range technology needs. Research facilities are located in the United States, India, China, Germany and Brazil, working in collaboration with GE businesses around the world. In his previous role, Vic served as the President & CEO of Gas Power Systems for GE Power, overseeing worldwide operations of GE’s heavy-duty gas turbine, steam turbine, generator and controls businesses. In this role, he led the development of GE’s HA gas turbine, which powers the world’s most efficient combined cycle power plant, located in France. The business has the largest delivered fleet of gas turbines in the world with more than 7,400 turbines operating in 112 countries and manufacturing in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. From 2005 to 2013, Vic was President & CEO of GE’s Renewable Energy business, one of the world’s leading suppliers of renewable energy technology. In this role, Vic led the development and launch of GE’s 1.6-100 onshore wind turbine and GE’s 2.5-120 brilliant wind turbine, both of which were recognized as game changing products in the industry. Vic began his GE career in 1990 and has held several management roles in engineering, services, production, and quality. In 1996, he led the large turbine generator business as the quality leader and was subsequently appointed general manager of generator technology. In 1999, Vic assumed responsibility for leading the gas turbine volume ramp up in GE’s Power Generation segment, and in late 2000 he was appointed general manager of steam turbine technology. In 2003, he became a GE company officer as the vice president of technology for power generation, which included technology for gas, steam, wind, solar, and hydro-turbine generators, gasification technologies, and integrated gasification combined cycle. Prior to joining GE, Vic worked for Allied Signal and Zurn Industries and was responsible for mechanical drive technology and new product development. Vic is a member of the Board of Directors of UI Labs and previously served as President of the Board of Directors of the American Wind Energy Association. Originally from Williamstown, Massachusetts, he holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Union College, and an M.B.A. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He and his wife Karen have four children and reside in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Research Interest

Business