Korea
Youngje Kim
General Manager, Asia Pacific, Defense & Systems, GE Aerospace and President of GE Aerospace in Korea
Responsible for driving the growth of GE Aerospace’s defense engine fleet across multiple countries in the region.
Biography
Youngje Kim is the General Manager, Asia Pacific, Defense & Systems, GE Aerospace and President of GE Aerospace in Korea. In this role, he drives the growth of GE Aerospace’s defense engine fleet across key markets in Australia, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Southeast Asian countries.
With over 18 years of experience in the aviation industry, Youngje is a seasoned leader. Prior to his current role, he served as Regional Vice President for North Asia, overseeing Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. He has also held several leadership positions at GE Aerospace’s headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he led the development of new products and services and drove contract negotiations with key customers.
Youngje joined GE in 2007 as Sales Manager for Korean military engine programs. He later expanded his role to cover international engine programs, successfully leading campaigns valued at over $3 billion.
Prior to joining GE, Youngje served as a Maintenance Engineering Operations and Interpretation Officer for the Republic of Korea Air Force. He was also an active member of the Board of Governors of AMCHAM Korea and co-chairs the Aerospace and Defense Committee.
In 2021, he was recognized by the Korean Government as a Person of Merit for his contributions to the country’s industry and economy, receiving the MOTIE Minister’s commendation at the Trade Day organized by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MoTIE).
Youngje holds an MBA from Korea University and a Bachelor of Science in business, economy, and information Science from Syracuse University, where he graduated as a University Scholar.
Katsuya Okano
General Manager, North Asia Pacific, Commercial Engines and Services
Responsible for driving GE Aerospace’s business growth in North Asia Pacific, managing key airline partnership in Japan and Korea.
Biography
Katsuya Okano is the President and Representative Director for GE Aerospace in Japan, and General Manager for the North Asia Pacific region for GE Aerospace. In these roles, he is responsible for overseeing business operations and growth, focusing on partnerships with key airline customers in Japan and Korea.
Katsuya has a wide range of business experience in sales, marketing, services, manufacturing operations, and supply chain management. He began his career at ITOCHU Corporation’s Aerospace department in sales and business development from 1992 to 2000.
He joined legacy GE in 2000 as the Sales Director for North Asia in the Aircraft Engine Division based in Tokyo, Japan. In 2004, he moved to GE Aerospace headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, as Director of Upgrade Programs for the CFM56 Engine, where he earned his Master Blackbelt certification for GE’s Six Sigma initiative.
In 2006, Katsuya returned to Tokyo as General Manager of the Aviation Japan Supply Chain Division. By 2008, he was named President and CEO of GE Engine Services Japan Corporation in Chiba, Japan.
In 2011, he transitioned to a new industry sector as the Operating Officer and General Manager for the Service Division of GE Healthcare Japan. In 2013, he became Director of the Board and General Manager of the Healthcare Systems Business Unit, where he led GE Healthcare Japan Corporation with full responsibility of the business and a team of 1,200 employees.
From 2016 to 2018, Katsuya took on leadership roles outside of GE, serving as Vice President and General Manager for C.R. Bard Inc. and as President and Representative Director for Medicon, Inc.
Katsuya returned to GE Aerospace in 2019 as General Manager for the North Asia Pacific region. In July 2023, he also took on the role of President and Representative Director for GE Japan and GE Aerospace in Japan, where he continues to lead the company’s transformation efforts and drive business growth.
Katsuya has received several company awards throughout his career and is a strong supporter of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English language from Sophia University, Japan, and completed an exchange program in Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley. He is fluent in both English and Japanese.
Yong-Hwan Seo
Site Leader, GE Aerospace On Wing Support Korea
Responsible for overseeing daily operations of On Wing Support Korea.
Biography
Yong-Hwan Seo is the Site Leader for GE Aerospace On Wing Support Korea.
In this role, Yong-Hwan is responsible for managing the daily operations of On Wing Support Korea, which provides advanced service capabilities to meet the needs of GE Aerospace’s Asia Pacific customers.
Yong-Hwan joined GE in 2007 and has held various leadership roles across the organization. Before his current position, he served as the Leader for Korea EPC Accounts at GE Power & Water, where he focused on strengthening customer relationships, forming strategic partnerships, and driving business growth. Prior to that, he worked as a GE Account Manager and led the Korea Energy Team as Acting Country Executive in the first half of 2011.
Before joining GE, Yong-Hwan gained experience at Doosan Heavy Industries (currently Doosan Enerbility).
Joanne Kim
HR Business Partner, Asia Pacific, Commercial Engines and Services
Responsible for providing overall HR leadership and support for GE Aerospace team in Asia Pacific
Biography
Joanne Kim is the HR Business Partner, Asia Pacific for GE Aerospace. In this role, Joanne partners closely with business leaders and continue momentum of strong HR support for the leaders, employees and HR counterparties in Asia Pacific region.
Joanne supports the Commercial Engines and Services team dispersed in 9 countries in Asia Pacific and supports all GE Aerospace employees in 7 countries in the region. She partners to support talent development, organizational change initiatives and a continued focus on culture and inclusion.
Joanne brings a wealth of HR experience and expertise to this role. She joined Aerospace CES MRO HR team from the GGO in 2020 where she provided HR business partnership for multiple businesses inclusive of GE Aerospace in Korea. She began her journey in 2010 as a Talent Acquisition Leader supporting the entire GE businesses in Korea. She then moved into an Organization & Talent Development Leader role where she provided strategic talent development strategies across the businesses in Korea.
Prior to joining GE, Joanne worked in various multinational companies holding leadership roles with increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, purchasing and talent acquisition.
She holds a BA degree in Malay-Indonesian from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, singing and travelling to overseas countries to explore new cultures with her husband whenever she gets the chance.
