Fortune magazine has released its annual ranking of the ‘100 Most Powerful People in Business’ for 2025, and among the global titans of industry is a prominent Cincinnati-based executive: Larry Culp, CEO and Chairman of GE Aerospace. Culp appears at No. 86 on the list, placing him alongside renowned figures such as Elon Musk (No. 4), Jeff Bezos (No. 18), and Michael Bloomberg (No. 95).

Strategic Transformation at GE Aerospace

The recognition comes at a pivotal time for both Culp and GE Aerospace. Since assuming the company’s top position, Culp has overseen the transformation of GE’s historic aviation business into a standalone powerhouse. In 2024, the former General Electric conglomerate spun off its aviation unit, establishing GE Aerospace as a separate, publicly traded entity headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. This move marked the culmination of GE’s years-long effort to streamline its operations and refocus on its strongest, most resilient divisions.

GE Aerospace now employs over 40,000 people worldwide, supplies jet engines, components, and integrated systems to major aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus, and supports a global fleet of over 40,000 commercial and military aircraft. Under Culp’s stewardship, the company posted revenues exceeding $30 billion in 2024 and continues to invest billions in next-generation technology, advanced manufacturing, and decarbonization initiatives.

Culp’s Leadership: Driving Innovation and Stability

Larry Culp’s business philosophy has emphasized operational discipline, relentless innovation, and agility. His appointment as GE’s CEO in 2018—becoming the first outsider to lead the company in its 126-year history—marked the beginning of a new era for the industrial giant. Culp is widely credited for stabilizing GE during a period of financial uncertainty, streamlining its vast operations, and restoring investor confidence. The performance of GE Aerospace under his leadership has been a key pillar in the conglomerate’s resurgence.

In 2024, shortly after the aerospace spinoff, GE Aerospace was able to secure new multi-billion dollar contracts for next-generation engines. The company is a key partner in the development of advanced propulsion systems for Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program and Airbus’s ZEROe hydrogen aircraft initiative. Culp’s focus on sustainability has positioned GE Aerospace at the forefront of aviation’s decarbonization agenda, with strategic targets for carbon neutrality by 2050 and near-term reductions in emissions intensity.

The Power List: What It Means and Who Made the Cut

Fortune’s selection criteria for its ‘Most Powerful People in Business’ list includes the scale and health of the leader’s enterprise, demonstrable impact on their industry, innovation track record, influence beyond their own company, and the leader’s career trajectory or momentum. In Culp’s case, his ability to shepherd GE Aerospace to new heights following a dramatic corporate restructuring was a significant factor in his inclusion.

While Culp’s ranking on the list slipped slightly from No. 82 in 2024 to No. 86 this year, his presence among tech moguls and Wall Street giants reflects the pivotal role of aerospace and advanced engineering in the 21st-century economy. Other notable figures on this year’s list include Apple CEO Tim Cook, Alphabet’s Sundar Pichai, JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon, and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, demonstrating how leaders from diverse sectors shape the global business landscape.

Implications for Cincinnati and Regional Business

Culp’s inclusion on Fortune’s power list is a point of pride for Cincinnati and the broader Ohio business community. GE Aerospace’s footprint in the region not only provides thousands of high-paying jobs but drives local innovation and supply chain activity, supporting hundreds of smaller businesses and research partners across the Midwest. The company’s ongoing investment in advanced manufacturing, including the use of 3D printing and digital twin technology, positions Cincinnati as a leader in the next generation of American industry.

Local officials and business organizations have lauded Culp’s leadership, recognizing his efforts to strengthen Greater Cincinnati’s reputation as a hub for talent and technological excellence. The continued growth of GE Aerospace supports the city’s competitive position in both commercial and defense aerospace markets, despite ongoing challenges such as supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages that have affected the broader aviation sector globally.

Looking Ahead: The Future of GE Aerospace under Culp

As the aviation industry continues to recover from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, GE Aerospace is well-positioned for further expansion and leadership in both traditional and emerging aerospace domains. The company is investing in digital aviation, hybrid-electric propulsion, and advanced maintenance solutions—areas that are expected to define the future of air travel and defense.

Culp’s ongoing tenure will likely be measured by the company’s ability to navigate intensifying competition, geopolitical uncertainties, and the urgent imperative to decarbonize aviation. If recent performance is any guide, both analysts and industry stakeholders anticipate sustained growth and innovation from GE Aerospace under his leadership.