Immelt has held several global leadership positions since coming to GE in 1982, including roles in GE's Plastics, Appliances, and Healthcare businesses. In 1989 he became an officer of GE and joined the GE Capital Board in 1997. Immelt has been named one of the World's Best CEOs three times by Barron's, and since he began serving as chief executive officer, GE has been named America's Most Admired Company in a poll conducted by Fortunemagazine and one of The World's Most Respected Companies in polls by Barron's and the Financial Times. Immelt was the chair of President Obama's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. He is a member of The American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Immelt earned a B.A. degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College in 1978 and an M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1982. He and his wife have one daughter.