Gordon Follin

B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1994
M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1996

Gordie Follin is the Executive Manager of the Catalyst engine program for GE Aviation.  This new development program is a global collaboration of 7 countries and features a variety of new technologies including the most extensive use of additive manufacturing of any aviation product to date.  He is currently based in Torino, Italy.

Mr. Follin, a native of Virginia, attended Virginia Tech and graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Aerospace Engineering.  He began his professional career with Pratt & Whitney as a performance engineer supporting the Joint Strike Fighter program for the military engines business.  After 4 years, Mr. Follin joined General Electric in 2000 as an engineer for the GE Energy business in Atlanta, GA.  He held several roles of increasing responsibility in the areas of product support, services, and project engineering.  During this time, he was most notably the manager of Fulfillment Engineering for the GE Aero Energy business in Houston, Texas where he led the execution of customer contracts for power generation equipment.  He has been awarded three patents for his work developing technologies for gas turbines and has active patent applications for aircraft engine technologies.

In 2010, Mr. Follin moved to GE’s Aviation division as the Engineering leader for Product Development and later served as the Engineering Leader of Marine and Industrial products for GE Aviation.  In this role, Mr. Follin was responsible for the development and support of aero-derivative gas turbines for the Oil & Gas, Energy, and Marine markets.   

Mr. Follin served on the Virginia Tech College of Engineering Advisory Board, including a term as the Board’s Chair.  He has been a key part of GE’s presence at Virginia Tech, previously serving as the Corporate Recruiting Leader and currently serving as the University Executive for Virginia Tech at GE.  He is passionate about community development and has led many student tutoring, mentoring, and community service projects.