Jeffrey R. Immelt joined GE in corporate marketing in 1982 after receiving a degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard University.

He then held a series of leadership positions with GE Plastics in sales, marketing and global product development. He became a vice president of GE in 1989, responsible for consumer services for GE Appliances.

He subsequently became VP of worldwide marketing product management for GE Appliances in 1991, VP and general manager of GE Plastics Americas commercial division in 1992, and VP and general manager of GE Plastics Americas in 1993.

He became SVP of GE and president and CEO of GE Medical Systems in 1996. He became GE's president and chairman-elect in 2000, and chairman and CEO in 2001.

-- Bio source: SEC proxy statements

After graduating with a BBA from Hofstra University, Ralph S. Larsen joined Johnson & Johnson in 1962.

In 1981, he left Johnson & Johnson to serve as president of Becton Dickinson's consumer products division and returned to Johnson & Johnson in 1983 as president of its Chicopee subsidiary.

In 1986, he was named a company group chairman and later that year became vice chairman of the executive committee and chairman of the consumer sector.

He was elected a director in 1987 and served as chairman of the board and CEO from 1989 to 2002.

-- Bio source: SEC proxy statements