Full Name: Thomas Konditi
Position: President and CEO of GE Transportation: Africa
Main Activity of the Company: GE Transportation is a technology leader and supplier to the rail, marine, mining stationary power and drilling industries
Date and Place of Birth: Nairobi, Kenya
Education: Strathmore School, Nairobi; University of Wisconsin – Madison, BSc (Eng); Olin School of Business, Washington University, Saint Louis, MBA
First Job: GE corporate audit staff
Career History Prior to Current Position: I have held positions of increasing responsibility across 30 countries in finance, audit, quality, asset management, operations and executive leadership. My experience in driving commercial growth and innovation was further honed as CEO of three technology and aviation start-ups, both inside and outside GE
Size of First Pay Packet: $42 000 a year
First Job with Present Group: Corporate auditor
Value of Assets under Your Control: $3.3-billion (value of GE Africa revenue)
Number of People under Your Leadership: 100-plus GE Transportation employees in Africa
Management Style: Setting a vision and strategy and working through the team to execute it
Personal Best Achievement: Obtaining a private pilot’s licence
Professional Best Achievement: Helping grow GE Africa threefold in three years
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: GE Africa president and CEO Jay Ireland
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Abraham Lincoln
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Aliko Dangote
Philosophy of Life: Focus on doing your job well, the rest will take care of itself
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Being CEO of an airline
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Letting people go for integrity issues
Hope for the Future: That Africa builds the infrastructure that will enable young people to be successful
Favourite Reading: The 4-Hour Workweek
Favourite TV Programme: The Walking Dead
Favourite Food/Drink: Ice cream/ginger ale
Favourite Music: House music
Favourite Sport: Tennis
Favourite Website: BBC.com
Hobbies: Flying my full-size 737 flight simulator
Car: BMW
Pets: Cats and dogs
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Being told the obvious, long-winded speakers
Favourite Other South African Company: Standard Bank
Favourite Foreign Company: Amazon.com
Married: To Temika for 20-plus years
Children: Four children – three girls and a boy – all under eight years of age
Clubs: Wisconsin University Basketball Team