Sean O’Keefe To Head GE Aviation’s Washington D.C. Operations

Effective June 2, Sean O’Keefe, 52, will head GE Aviation’s Washington D.C. operations, replacing Dr. Thomas Cooper, who is retiring after serving in the role with distinction for 21 years.

Over the past 30 years, O’Keefe has held key U.S. Government positions in Washington, including NASA Administrator (2001-2005), Deputy Director and Deputy Assistant to the President at the Office of Management and Budget (2001), and Secretary of the Navy (1992-93).

“Sean brings a wealth of experience involving complex public policy issues as well as advanced technology,” said Scott Donnelly, President and CEO of GE Aviation, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. “He takes over the helm of our Washington office at a very dynamic period in the aviation industry.”

Since 2005, O’Keefe has served as Chancellor of Louisiana State University. He has also held faculty posts at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs (1996-2001), and at Pennsylvania State University (1993-96).

O’Keefe earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, New Orleans, and a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University.

His predecessor, Dr. Tom Cooper, has been a most trusted advisor to GE leadership and to Washington D.C. policy leaders and lawmakers for two decades. “Tom has played a major role in GE’s leadership position in both commercial and military aviation,” Donnelly said.