Chris Beaufait was named as the senior executive for GE Aviation, China in June 2012. His responsibilities include leading GE Aviation's commercial aircraft programs and the business strategy, operating processes, partnerships, marketing and government relationships in the Greater China Region. Previous to his current role, he was the senior executive for Avionics for GE Aviation Systems and responsible for civil and military avionics products and programs.
Chris joined GE in 1998 as a quality engineer for GE Appliances after serving in the U.S. Navy for 11 years. In 2001, he joined GE's Corporate Audit Staff, which led to a business development manager position in GE's headquarters office supporting portfolio assessments, financial analysis, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions for GE Corporate and GE's business units. In 2006, Chris was named General Manager, Business Development for GE's Aviation and Transportation businesses and led the acquisitions of Smiths Aerospace, Walter Engines and numerous other transactions. In 2008, Chris was named General Manager, Corporate Business Development - China, responsible for creating and leading a newly formed Corporate Business Development Center of Excellence based in Shanghai to support GE's business initiatives. In addition to his other responsibilities while in this role, he led the efforts to form a global civil avionics joint venture between GE's Avionics business and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
Chris graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor's degree in systems engineering. Post-graduation, Chris served as a submarine officer.
