Effective immediately, Sam Angelella will serve as Vice President of GE Aviation’s Military Customer Programs. In this new role, Sam will be responsible for GE’s engagement with all entities of the United States military, including: the Department of Defense, U.S. Services leadership in the Pentagon, Joint Staff, all Major Commands and Combatant Commands.

Angelella’s military career spans more than 30 years. He joins GE from the U.S. Air Force, where he was the 3-star Commanding General for U.S. Forces Japan and Commander 5th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Prior to his assignment in Japan, Angelella was the Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

“We’re thrilled to appoint Sam to this critical position as we continue to develop, produce and support propulsion systems powering the U.S. military’s contemporary and next-generation platforms,” said Jean Lydon-Rodgers, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation’s Military Systems Operation. “Sam’s extensive global leadership experience brings significant defense industry knowledge and expertise to GE Aviation and our customers.”

Angelella is a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours, including 182 combat hours. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1981 with a bachelor’s in engineering mechanics and later received a master’s degree from the School of Advanced Airpower studies.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings.