Tom Gentile was named chief executive officer and President of Hexcel in May, 2023. Hexcel is a global leader in lightweight materials for Aerospace, Defense, and Industrial applications. Prior to Hexcel, he served as President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, a global leader in the manufacture of structures for commercial and military aircraft. In 2023, Gentile served as Chairperson of the Aerospace Industry Association, a trade association of the top 350 aerospace and defense manufacturers in the US. He also serves on the Board of the Wing’s Club and the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.
Earlier in his career, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of GE Capital, a $650 billion financial services institution. Before this role, Gentile was President and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems, a $14 billion diagnostic imaging and medical device business. He also served as president and CEO of GE Aviation Services, a $7 billion global enterprise providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul as well as spare parts to GE Aviation’s global fleet of jet engines for commercial airlines. Gentile began his career at GE in 1998, holding a succession of leadership roles across GE Capital in the U.S., France, and Australia.
He has held numerous other leadership and strategy roles with McKinsey and Company, U.S. broadcaster CBS and General Motors. In addition, Gentile was previously chairperson of the board directors of InSightec, a global leader in non-invasive image guided therapy. An active community member, Gentile has served on the governing boards of the Greater Wichita Partnership, the Kansas Big Brothers and Big Sisters Board, and on the Foundation for the YMCA of Greater Wichita. He also serves as a Trustee of the ALS Finding a Cure organization and on the advisory Board for the Wichita State University Barton School of Business. He previously served on the Greater Milwaukee Committee, as well as on the boards of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, Connecticut. Gentile earned his bachelor’s degree in economics magna cum laude and an MBA from Harvard University, and studied international relations at the London School of Economics. Gentile was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He and his wife, Julie, have three children.