Tim Wachenfeld
Tim Wachenfeld
Tim has worked for General Electric for 34 years, starting right out of Tech on GE's 3 year Corporate Manufacturing Management Program...His backround includes assignments in Major Appliance Louisville, Ky) for 10 years and then he worked overseas in Singapore and Australia for International Engineering Services for 4 years. In 1985 he joined Aircraft Engines as Manager of Rocket Case in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1987 he moved to Ft. Wayne, Indiana as Plant Manager of Aircraft Controls. In 1989 he assumed the position of General Manager of Quality for Aircraft Engines. In 1995, he assumed the role of General Manager of Materials Management integrating the Total Aircraft Engines Supply Chain for Engines and Spares implementing a new software system. For the last 10 years he has been the GE University Executive for Virginia Tech coordinating all company relationships with the university, including recruiting, research ,and funding Va Tech programs. He was a member of the IS&E Advisory Board for several years. He has recently retired at the end of 2002.
Education
- MBA, University of Louisville - 1976
- B.S. Industrial Engineering, Virginia Tech - 1969
Q&A with Tim Wachenfeld
It gave me a broad based backround in Manufacturing and more importantly a basic understanding of the business side.
The Engineering discliplines; GE further taught me the business and leadership skills.
The broad range of learning at Tech helped me progress in my career. The self confidence I learned during my college career helped me take on tough and interesting assignments. My Co-op assignments lead me to a Manufacturing career.
"Don't be afraid to admit you do not know the specifics. Your education is an entry ticket to the game. Your company will train you in their specific needs. Always take the initiative and take the tough job that will get you Management exposure. Performance on your current role is most important, and with performance and exhibited leadership, a lot of career opportunities will become available if you work for a good company".
In my Materials Management role, I used a lot of Industrial Engineering skills. I was reponsible for deciding how we would schedule 25,000 active parts to support new engine builds and spare parts needs at the minimum inventory levels. Strategically, determining what parts we would build or outsource to domestic and international suppliers and how to schedule an overlap plan for a new supplier.
Organization Development (Dr. Torgerson), Plant Layout, and the senior projects.
Manufacturing Materials was a course I later found out was very valuable once I worked on the factory floor, particularly in a fabrication shop.
Business courses, especially finance.
While at Tech, I was President of Pi Kappa (Now Sigma Nu Fraternity) for two years when fraternities were not sanctioned by the university. We had a great social time and it helped build my leadership skills. Since I have worked with GE I have volunteered many times in the community. I have mentored high school students and worked to improve local parks and playgrounds.
I wished I had taken an international semester. My son has done that and it was a real development experience for him even though he lived and traveled abroad as a youngster. Business today is so internationally oriented, it is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons. If you have the chance, do it.