GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) shifts CES leadership as Russell Stokes plans retirement
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
General Electric Company, operating as GE Aerospace, reported a leadership change in its Commercial Engines and Services (CES) business. The company named Mohamed Ali as President and CEO, CES, effective February 1, 2026. He has been serving as Chief Technology and Operations Officer since January 2025 and will lead an expanded CES organization covering the full commercial engine lifecycle, including safety and quality, product management, engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and aftermarket services.
Russell Stokes, the current President and CEO of CES, will move to an advisory role to support the transition and plans to retire effective July 31, 2026. His departure arrangements include regular salary through his retirement date, eligibility for a prorated 2026 annual bonus based on actual company performance, forfeiture of unvested equity grants except for certain 2024 time-based equity awards that will vest upon departure, and eligibility to begin GE Aerospace pension and supplementary pension benefits at retirement, with an executive retirement benefit available at age 60. He will also provide a release to the company and agree to cooperation, confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation covenants.
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Insights
Leadership shifts at GE Aerospace CES with structured retirement terms.
The filing describes a planned leadership transition at GE Aerospace for its Commercial Engines and Services (CES) business. Mohamed Ali becomes President and CEO, CES, effective
Russell Stokes, the current CES leader, will act in an advisory capacity until his planned retirement on
The retirement package also clarifies pension and executive retirement eligibility based on 29 years of service and attainment of age 55, along with release, cooperation, confidentiality, non-competition, and non-solicitation covenants. These features are consistent with structured executive transitions and aim to support leadership continuity during the handover period.
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| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||||||||
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||||||||
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| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | ||||||||
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| Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter). | ||||||||
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| If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. | ☐ | |||||||
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99.1 | Press release by GE Aerospace, dated January 15, 2026. | ||||||||||||||||
| 104 | The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Date: January 15, 2026 | /s/ Brandon Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brandon Smith Vice President, Chief Corporate, Securities & Finance Counsel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FAQ
What leadership change did GE (GE) announce in its Commercial Engines and Services business?
GE Aerospace announced that Mohamed Ali has been named President and CEO, Commercial Engines and Services (CES), effective February 1, 2026. He previously served as Chief Technology and Operations Officer since January 2025 and will lead an expanded CES team covering the full commercial engine lifecycle.
When will Russell Stokes retire from GE (GE) and what role will he have before retirement?
Russell Stokes, the current President and CEO, Commercial Engines and Services, plans to retire effective July 31, 2026. Until his retirement, he will serve in an advisory role to assist with the transition to the new CES leadership.
What compensation will Russell Stokes receive in connection with his retirement from GE (GE)?
In connection with his retirement, Russell Stokes will receive his regular salary until his departure and will be eligible for a prorated 2026 annual bonus based on actual company performance. His unvested equity grants will generally be forfeited, except for the time-based portions of his 2024 annual equity grants
How are pension and retirement benefits for Russell Stokes described in the GE (GE) filing?
Based on his 29 years of service and attainment of age 55, Russell Stokes will be eligible to begin his GE Aerospace Pension and Supplementary Pension benefits at the time of his departure. He will also be eligible for his Executive Retirement Benefit at age 60, as outlined in the agreement.
What covenants will Russell Stokes agree to as part of his retirement from GE (GE)?
Under the retirement agreement, Russell Stokes will provide a release to the company and agree to cooperation, confidential information, non-competition, and non-solicitation covenants. These obligations are part of the terms associated with his departure.
What areas will the expanded CES team at GE (GE) oversee under Mohamed Ali?
Under Mohamed Ali, the expanded CES team will manage the entire commercial engine lifecycle, including safety and quality, product management, engineering, supply chain, manufacturing, and aftermarket services, as described in the related press release.
