OREANDA-NEWS. GE [NYSE: GE] Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt announced today the appointment of Dan Heintzelman as vice chairman of GE to focus on services and operations. Lorenzo Simonelli, who currently leads GE Transportation, will succeed Heintzelman as president and CEO of GE Oil & Gas. Russell Stokes will succeed Simonelli as president and CEO of GE Transportation. The appointments are effective October 1, 2013.

 Heintzelman, 56, has been president & CEO of GE Oil & Gas since 2011. Prior to that, he was president & CEO, GE Energy Services. Previously, he led services at GE Energy and GE Aircraft Engines. He joined GE in 1979 and was appointed a GE company officer in 2000.

 “In his 34 years at GE, Dan has led some of our largest high-technology services and manufacturing teams,” Immelt said. “He will work across GE’s industrial business to further strengthen our services, advanced manufacturing and product development capabilities.”

 Simonelli, 40, is a 19-year GE veteran and has been president and CEO of GE Transportation since 2008.

 He joined GE in 1994 and is a graduate of GE’s Financial Management Program. Simonelli served as CFO Americas for Consumer & Industrial, and has held leadership positions for Appliances, Lighting, Electrical Distribution and Motors.

“Lorenzo transformed GE Transportation from a North American ‘rail’ business to a global transportation equipment and solutions provider,” Immelt said. “His passion for technology, his global mindset and customer focus will help GE Oil & Gas continue to grow.”

 Stokes, 42, will succeed Simonelli as president & CEO, GE Transportation. A 16-year GE veteran, Stokes most recently was vice president of Global Services at Transportation. Previously, he was GM for GE Aviation’s Global Sourcing Organization and has held finance, risk and business development roles in Aviation and Lighting. He was named a company officer in 2012.

 “Russell has led the evolution of our services model; combining technology, software and analytics, which has improved outcomes for customers,” Immelt said. “His expertise in services and analytics will help us continue growth at GE Transportation.”