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Klee Named GE Vice President for Environmental Programs

Posted on: Monday, 5 November 2007, 12:00 CST

Ann R. Klee has been named as Vice President of Corporate Environmental Programs for the General Electric Company, GE Senior Vice President and General Counsel Brackett Denniston announced today.

Klee's distinguished career includes leading environmental law and oversight positions in the public and private sector, including that of general counsel of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2004-2006.

"Ann is a leading thinker on environmental protection and law,'' Denniston said. "Her experience in government and the private sector will help GE to continue leading in environmental, health and safety management."

Klee, 46, has more than 20 years of experience in environmental law. She comes to GE from the law firm of Crowell & Moring LLP, based in Washington, D.C., where she was a partner and co-chaired the firm's highly regarded Environmental & Natural Resources Group.

Prior to that, Klee served as EPA general counsel, overseeing major projects including the defense of EPA jurisdiction over wetlands, defending Clean Air Act New Source Review reform rules, and strengthening response actions after Hurricane Katrina. As Counselor and Special Assistant to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior from 2001 to 2004, Klee developed and implemented policy on issues including the Endangered Species Act and Everglades- and salmon-restoration efforts.

Klee has lectured extensively on environmental issues and has authored numerous articles. She is a graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

The appointment is effective February 1, 2008. Klee succeeds Stephen D. Ramsey, who has held the position since 1990. Ramsey helped build a world-class environment, health and safety program for GE that has resulted in numerous awards for the company and that saw him receive the 2007 American Bar Association Award for Excellence in Environmental and Resource Stewardship, awarded in September.

"Steve Ramsey built a global environmental law practice that is widely regarded as the standard for U.S. and world businesses," said GE's Denniston. "He reached the pinnacle of the profession by demanding accountability and delivering the best results - driving tough standards that were visionary and business-smart."

Ramsey was a principal in helping develop the company's ecomagination business strategy, which focuses on developing products and services with environmental and operating benefits for customers, and GE's role into the US Climate Action Partnership, an alliance of major businesses and non-governmental organizations serving as a catalyst for advanced energy and climate policy in the US.

About GE

GE is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com.

Source: Business Wire

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