GE Aerospace Systems president Brad Mottier will retire at the end of this year, capping more than 40 years in the industry, including 20 years with GE and 22 years at Unison Industries.

GE chairman and CEO and GE Aerospace CEO H Lawrence Culp Jr says: “I want to thank Brad for his decades of service to the aerospace industry and his many contributions as a long-time member of the GE Aerospace senior leadership team. Brad's passion for aviation and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to successfully position our Systems businesses for the future of flight and next generation defence platforms. He leaves a proud legacy at the company.”

Mottier joined the business as part of GE's acquisition of Unison Industries in 2002, where he was president and CEO. His career at GE Aerospace includes leading the services business and expanding GE's presence in the business and general aviation segment with entry into service of the GE Honda Aero Engines HF-120 and the Passport engine, as well as launching the Catalyst turboprop programme. As president of the Systems business, Mottier championed growth in both the military and commercial sectors.

With his retirement, the Systems portfolio will be realigned, strengthening vertical integration of its core business segments to drive more focus on the customers and enhance strategic growth opportunities. Under the new structure, the Electric Power and Avionics teams will report to president and CEO, military systems operation Amy Gowder. The Dowty Propellers and Unison Industries businesses will be aligned under Riccardo Procacci, who also leads the Avio Aero and GE Additive businesses, all of which go to market under their own brands.

“The Systems portfolio of businesses continues to be a competitive advantage for GE Aerospace going forward, and I'm pleased to have a strong leadership team with Amy and Riccardo assuming more responsibility as we focus on growth opportunities in the future,” adds Culp.

Mottier is a board member of the Sontag Foundation; former chairman of GAMA; and a member of the President's Council for the University of Illinois. In 2014, he was honoured with the Business Aviation Laureate Award by Aviation Week.