FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) -- General Electric's board has named John Rice as head of global operations, responsible for the company's growth outside the U.S.
Rice, a vice chairman of the company since 2005, will take the new post effective Jan. 1, the company said in a statement Monday.
Rice, who will move to Hong Kong, has served customers, built partnerships and made deals around the world for the company for more than 20 years, GE's statement said.
"We are entering a period of great opportunity in global markets, and as a result, our teams must be more decentralized, faster and more local," CEO Jeff Immelt said in a statement.
Rice, 53, a 32-year GE veteran, will emphasize growth in markets such as China, India, the Middle East and Brazil, the statement said.
He will oversee 12 local groups that include business development, commercial teams, finance, controllership and legal in China, India, Southeast Asia, Latin/South America, Russia, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Germany, Europe and Japan/Korea, the statement said.
