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AOE Advisory Board
  • Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech
  • M.S., Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech
  • B.S., Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech

Todd Wetzel is the 65% Gas Breakout Leader and Power Business Program Manager at GE Global Research. In his Breakout role, Todd leads a diverse team of researchers accelerating the technologies that will allow GE to extend it’s world-record gas turbine efficiencies and be the first company to offer a gas turbine capable of breaking the 65% efficiency barrier. In his Power Business Program Manager role, Todd leverages a product management perspective to oversee the full deck of research performed at GRC on behalf of the Power business and ensure our technologies have a clear path to commercialization. He also acts as a liaison to the Power leadership team.

Todd studied at Virginia Tech where he obtained a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. At Virginia Tech, Todd performed unsteady wind tunnel testing of submarines and fighter aircraft. Todd was awarded his Ph.D. in 1996, and proceeded to work at Virginia Tech as a Research Associate.

Todd joined GE Global Research in 1997 as a researcher in the Heat Transfer and Diagnostics Program. Todd carried out fluid dynamics and heat transfer research for a range of GE products, including gas turbines, jet engines, electronics, and future energy production technologies. Over the years, Todd held roles of increasing scope and responsibility leading research teams in the heat transfer, electronics cooling, and thermodynamics disciplines. Todd is a certified Master Blackbelt.

Todd lives in upstate NY with his wife Danielle, and their four children, Calvin, Melinda, Grace and Charlotte.