ologne and electrical switchboard panels have more in common than you'd think: the IT management expertise of Patty Morrison.
Morrison, former director of information management systems of Procter & Gamble Co.'s cosmetics and fragrance division, has brought her business, technology, and communications skills to General Electric as CIO of the conglomerate's electrical distribution and control unit, which makes products to distribute and regulate electrical power.
Morrison joined GE in April as its top female IT executive after a 16-year stint at P&G, where she rose from entry-lev
el systems analyst in the consumer goods maker's Cincinnati headquarters, to her last position as IT head of the Hunt Valley, Md., division that produces Old Spice and Giorgio fragrances as well as Cover Girl and Max Factor makeup.
Although the companies are very different, Morrison says her experience will prove valuable: "[The job role] requires many similarities: leadership to help others understand the appropriate use of IT and new technologies to improve business and reduce costs."
Morrison's top priority in her new job is to look for ways that IT can help improve quality at the Plainville, Conn., unit, "from day-to-day operations all the way to how we interact with the customer." Morrison says her goals are in line with GE's ongoing "Six Sigma" mission, which looks to improve the quality of the company's overall business.
Technologies that Morrison says may support that mission include Internet initiatives, which she notes have had a high profile in many of GE's other businesses, including
its GE Capital financial services unit.
For Morrison, the biggest challenge of her career-and at the same time its greatest perk-is the requirement to keep up with how quickly technology evolves.
"I love the pace of change," she says. "That's why I stay with IT."
As for her move up the career ladder to become GE's highest-ranking female IT executive, Morrison maintains her gender has not been a hindrance in a predominantly male field. "I wouldn't say I've had any unique challenges as a woman in information systems, compared with anyone else," she says.
"Success in IS depends upon organizational skills, vendor management skills, and business understanding," Morrison adds. "Most of all, being able to communicate is critical."
Back to Careers
Send Us Your Feedback
Top of the Page
ologne and electrical switchboard panels have more in common than you'd think: the IT management expertise of Patty Morrison.
