Curtis P. Hughes
Southfield, Michigan
Automotive Commercial Director, Sales & Marketing

"When you think of GE, you don't think of plastics, right?" asks Curtis Hughes from his office in Southfield, Michigan. Evidently, some automotive manufacturers from Detroit don't make the connection as fast as he'd like either.

"Right now, I'm looking through a window in my office onto the lobby below, where we have an exhibit of automotive parts. An exhibit of all the automobile parts made from our resin. It showcases that GE Plastics is a strong and viable entity in the automotive industry."

Going the distance is at the heart of what Curtis thinks is the spirit behind GE Plastics: a sincere, unyielding commitment to winning. "It reminds me of an ongoing sports team tryout. Intense. Competitive. And rife with team spirit."

The sports analogy isn't random. Curtis is a Youth Basketball Coach in addition to being an Automotive Commercial Director for GEP's Sales division in Southfield. For ten years, Curtis has enjoyed the challenges ("on a daily basis") that working at GEP presents to him. "But with those challenges comes the opportunity to make a difference."

A graduate of St. Louis University, Curtis started working at GEP in the Silicones business as a Field Marketing Development Manager in the Mid-West & North Central Regions. After three years, he was promoted to Manager of Customer Development in GE Silicones and also held positions as an Industrial Manager of Silicone Hardcoats and Manager of Global Sourcing before becoming Automotive Commercial Director.

"My career progression is based on hard work, achieving business results, careful planning and guidance from business mentors," explains Curtis. "Of course, networking has had a strong influence as well." Some of that networking comes from his involvement in the African American Forum, one of four Diversity Forums at GEP. Bringing together people from all levels, the Forums foster an employee-based network of support and opportunity.

As the Business Liaison Leader for AAF, Curtis helps provide support for new African American employees entering the company. "By establishing networks - like AAF - to influence their careers," he says, "we're targeting increased recruitment and retention among African Americans within GEP."

Staying with the company this long has been its own reward. Working towards his goals of leading a business and continuing to make a difference, Curtis has already taken advantage of many opportunities. And he's gotten exposure to all levels in General Electric. "My most amazing day was in January 1998 at a Management Development Course at Crotonville [GE's corporate university]. I was selected by my peers to present to our Chairman, Jack Welch, and afterwards had a discussion with him in regards to leadership behaviors."

To Curtis, a day like this sums up everything that's great about GEP. As he puts it, "The entire business matrix is at your fingertips."

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