So at least to GE's credit, the end of Welch's tenure and during Immelt's GE solidified its position at the pinnacle of aeropropulsion and related research (namely, GE Global R&D). Until recently, GE had maintained this excellent reputation and while Schenectady is not desirable for everyone, for those in the physical engineering realms, a GE Global R&D position was coveted and brought it with it significant cachet. Apparently not any more. They've laid off quite a few staff involved in bringing serious technology to fruition (e.g., Ceramic Matrix Composites in gas turbine hot sections). This recent activist shareholder garbage once again brings us back to the persistent theme of destroying the seed corn in favor of short-term returns. It's a real travesty.
