GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Immelt is joining the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation’s board of trustees, the foundation announced. Immelt has served as the ninth chairman of GE since September 2001 and has been with the global infrastructure, finance and media company since 1982. “Jeff is a world class leader,” said Frederick Ryan, Jr., the foundation board’s chairman. “We’re honored to have the man who oversees the company President Reagan compared to his ‘graduate course in political science’ on Board.” Immelt has been recognized as one of the “World’s Best CEOs” by Barron’s magazine. Since serving as CEO, the company has been named as both “America’s Most Admired Company” and one of “The World’s Most Respected Companies” in polls by Fortune magazine, Barron’s magazine and the Financial Times. Reagan has a history with GE, having worked for the company from 1954 through 1962 as the host of its weekly television series, “General Electric Theater.” Reagan also traveled as a spokesman for the company to 139 of the company’s plants, serving as the GE’s Goodwill Ambassador. GE is the presenting sponsor of the Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration, a two-year celebration for the former president’s 100th birthday on Feb. 6, 2011. Jessica Selva
