Jones, Reginald Harold

Jones, Reginald Harold (1917–  ) business executive; born in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. He was a childhood immigrant to the U.S.A. He joined General Electric (GE) in 1939, worked in finance and manufacturing divisions, and became president (1972–73) and chairman and CEO (1972–81). He was instrumental after the early 1970s in focusing GE on high-technology markets in the nuclear reactor, jet engine, and consumer products sector; in leading the company's diversification into financial and industrial services through a program of acquisitions; and in expanding overseas operations. Under his leadership GE developed such products as CT scanners and industrial plastics. He developed a reputation as a superior financial planner. His peers voted him the country's most influential executive in 1979. As the head of the world's largest manufacturer of electrical equipment, he was also vocal in the public policy arena.