When Vibbert married his wife Margaret in 2001, she was an IT manager at GE’s Appliance Park in Louisville, Kentucky. For the next four years the couple moved between Army bases in Alabama, Texas, Korea and back. Margaret did not have to give up her career because GE transferred her between offices. “We are going to support her wherever you take her,” Margaret’s boss told Vibbert. “That was a great example of a company that values its people,” he says.
When duty calls: GE manager and U.S. Army Major Tim Vibbert spent 15 years flying Apache attack helicopters. His last tour in the middle east ended in September 2011.
The Vibberts settled back in Louisville in 2005. Vibbert, who is a West Point graduate, joined the Army reserves and started looking for a civilian job. GE was an obvious choice and he was hired as a commodity leader at Appliance Park. In 2010, Vibbert’s team found a supplier of compressors for the new GeoSpring hybrid heater, whose production GE moved to Louisville from China.
Major Vibbert goes to Washington: Tim Vibbert took part in GE’s American Competitiveness: What Works summit in Washington, DC, which concludes today with a focus on veterans.
Vibbert, however, didn’t get to see the GeoSpring through the full development cycle. In June 2010 he was called to duty and deployed to the middle east. Serving as a personnel recovery director, he trained soldiers and civilians in abduction prevention and built response teams to run recovery missions.
Vibbert’s bosses and colleagues back in Louisville did their part supporting the major. They sent him packages with books, candy, energy bars, toothpaste, and iTunes gift cards.
In December 2010 they sent a special gift. It was a signed picture of the entire team giving a salute. “I still have it,” he says. “It said ‘Merry Christmas Tim, from all your friends at GE.’ I keep it on my desk.”
Vibbert rejoined GE in September 2011. He is one of 10,000 veterans employed by the company. Chief Executive Jeff Immelt said this week that GE would hire 5,000 more vets over the next five years. The company will also join 22 companies in sponsoring “Hiring our Heroes,” a series of 400 veterans’ jobs fairs planned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2012. Besides financial support, GE vets will give resume and interview training at 50 of those fairs.
Vibbert remains in the Army reserves with his Apache unit. “I still get to fly,” he says. Those GE helicopter engines now feel like home cooking.
This is such a heart warming story as it illustrates how people focussed GE is. There cant be many company's that remain so committed to their employees during different phases of their lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great morale booster such behavior must have for a modest investment: employees are valued and management can hold their heads high and properly receive approbation for "doing the right thing".
ReplyDeleteSeeing employees and their families treated with such consideration makes one think that maybe we have a society after all.
Heartwarming for sure !
How fitting...To have met and interacted with you validates what I felt/experienced. KUDOS to you and all who serve their country and employers as service men & women and civilians!
ReplyDeleteGreat from many angles!
ReplyDeleteI am always inspired by Tim's great attitude, strong leadership abilities, and positive outlook on life. I am thankful to him and his family for their great sacrifices for our country and for GE. Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteGreat story about a great man.
ReplyDeletea great initiative by a great company!
ReplyDeleteI first met Tim in 2007 when we were paying visits to suppliers in China. I was deeply impressed by his energetic style, his sharp mind and of cause his positive attitude. It didn't surprise me at all that Tim excels at GE and has been promoted several times. I am really glad to have a co-worker like Tim.
ReplyDeleteWe owe a debt of gratitude to Tim for serving his country so bravely, and to GE for being the great company it it.
ReplyDeleteKnow tim and margaret very well. They are a credit to GE and to our country. Thanks so much for what they do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story
ReplyDeleteI plan on sharing it... Thank you to the Vibberts and GE!
I enjoyed reading this article and I salute all US service men and women and veterans. I’m sure Major Vibbert is a fine pilot and as I spent some time as a JTAC I guess there is a chance that he and I may have chewed some of the same dust over the years. As a veteran of 25 years British Army service I look forward to the day when GE introduce their unrivalled support for veterans to their employees here in the UK. We work exceptionally well side by side on the battlefield and there is no reason why we can’t continue to do so in civilian live. I’m impressed.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see our war hero to be treated accordingly. The sacrifice made for oneself and family finally paid off. It is such a warm feeling for everyone read the story. I like the final comment: "Those GE helicopter engines now feel like home cooking." I am proud to be part of the team certified the GE helicopter engines and make them airworthy.
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