GE Plastics names new CEO, John Krenicki

12:00AM / Monday, January 27, 2003Print Story | Email Story

John Krenicki, 40, has been named President and CEO of GE Plastics, the Pittsfield-based global manufacturer of high-performance engineering thermoplastics with more than $5 billion in revenues and 11,000 employees worldwide. Krenicki will be based at Plastics headquarters in Pittsfield. He has been President and CEO of GE Transportation Systems since June 2000. The General Electric Company also announced the appointment of two other senior business leaders to new assignments. Yoshiaki Fujimori, 51, has been named President and CEO, GE Asia responsible for working on behalf of all GE businesses to expand customer relationships and to develop new business markets across Asia. He will be based in Tokyo, Japan. Since May 2001, Fujimori has been President and CEO of GE Plastics. - Charlene Begley, 36, has been named President and CEO of GE Transportation Systems, a global supplier to rail, transit and mining industries with more than $2 billion in revenues and 8,000 employees worldwide. Begley will be based at Transportation headquarters in Erie, Penn. She has been President and CEO of GE-Fanuc Automation since September 2001. â€œThe capabilities of these leaders superbly fit the needs of these positions,â€ said GE Chairman and CEO Jeffrey R. Immelt, to whom they report. â€œJohn Krenicki returns to Plastics with more than a dozen years of experience in this industry that is now facing some of its toughest pricing and technology challenges in decades," Immelt said. "At Transportation Systems, John led operational efficiency while driving tremendous technology development and services growth. I am confident he will help GE Plastics customers meet their changing needs around the globe, and allow GE to continue as a global leader in this business. â€œYoshiaki Fujimoriâ€™s strong business and customer-development skills can work for us now across Asia, with its diverse market challenges and specific customer needs. Fujiâ€™s Asian perspective, combined with his global experience, will serve GE well as we continue to grow in this important region of the world. We created a similar executive role in Europe, Middle East and Africa over a year ago with the appointment of Nani Beccalli, which has proven to be an excellent resource for our customers and businesses. â€œCharlene Begley takes the helm of Transportation with a keen sense of the industry, especially in how to serve the quality requirements of our customers. Charlene has proven to be a skilled operating executive whose experience, most recently in the software and technology-driven automation business, will be a real asset for future growth. She is a strong, energizing leader, and GE is fortunate to have her lead Transportation Systems.â€ Yoshiaki Fujimori joined GE Japan in October 1986 as Manager, Business Development. From 1988, he held successive positions in GE Medical Systems including General Manager of Nuclear Medicine, CT and MR. He was named President and CEO, GE Medical Systems-Asia and a Company Officer in 1997. Prior to joining GE, Fujimori spent 11 years with Nissho Iwai Corporation as an analyst and manager. He received a bachelorâ€™s degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 1975, and holds an MBA from the Carnegie-Mellon Graduate School of Business. John Krenicki joined GEâ€™s Technical Marketing Program in 1984 after graduating with a bachelorâ€™s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut. He held a number of progressive leadership roles within GE Plastics, Silicones and Structured Products, including General Sales Manager for GE Plastics Structured Products and European Commercial Director for GE Silicones. From 1997, he served as the CEO of GE-Bayer Silicones (a GE joint venture) in Erkarth, Germany. In 1999, he was named a GE Company Officer and became Vice President and General Manager of the Americas for GE Lighting. Prior to his current position, John was Vice President and General Manager of GE Superabrasives in Worthington, OH. Krenicki also earned a master of science degree in Management from Purdue University. Charlene Begley joined the GE Financial Management Program at GE Transportation Systems after graduating from the University of Vermont in 1988 with a bachelorâ€™s degree in Business Administration. She joined the Corporate Audit staff in 1990. In 1994, Begley joined GE Capital Mortgage Services as Vice President of Operations. She was named Manager, Quality for GE Transportation Systems in 1995 and Chief Financial Officer in 1997. In 1998, she joined GE Plastics as Director of Finance for the European operations. She was appointed Vice President, Corporate Audit Staff in 1999, and became the youngest Company Officer in GEâ€™s history at the age of 32. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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