what happened to ge after jack welch retired 
jack welch retired from his role as chair and ceo of ge in 2001 he was succeeded by jeffrey immelt who called his reign controversial the company s share price dropped significantly during his term as ceo unlike his predecessor the company saw as much as 150 billion wiped out from its market value with immelt at the helm compared to the transformation of 14 billion to 410 billion when welch ran the company the bottom linejack welch was considered a powerhouse in the corporate world taking control of ge in 1981 he transformed the company by focusing on short term gains using very aggressive strategies welch is credited with turning ge into a powerful conglomerate by reducing inefficiencies and making acquisitions under his leadership ge s shareholders saw the company s market value increase welch retired in 2001 and handed the reins to jeffrey immelt although welch died in 2020 his leadership at ge remains his greatest legacy 