GE Appliances appoints Rocki Rockingham as CHRO

Rocki Rockingham has been named the new CHRO at GE Appliances, a Haier Company. Rockingham will be a key part of the executive leadership team and will play a crucial role in the expansion plans of the company and build a work culture, which attracts the best talent, globally.

Rockingham carries more than two decades of professional experience, working in various companies such as General Motors, Daimler Chrysler, Jarden and Newell Brands. Prior to this appointment, she was the SVP and global HR head at Newell Brands, which is a consumer goods company with multiple brands as part of its portfolio.

As per the Company, Rockingham comes with leadership and strategic capabilities which are essential for GE Appliances’ organisational change and transformation.

“We are thrilled to have Rocki join the team with the breadth of her experiences in numerous industries and businesses to further enable GE Appliances as an employer of choice. It takes great people with diverse backgrounds to effectively serve US consumers. Creating a winning culture that fosters an entrepreneurial spirit where employees can develop their passions to serve consumers is what it’s all about. I’m confident that Rocki can help us achieve our goals,” shares Kevin Nolan, president and CEO, GE Appliances.

Rockingham will be leading the people strategy at the Company, stepping into the shoes of Tom Quick who announced his retirement in the month of April after serving eight years at GE Appliances.

“My thanks to Tom for all he has done for GE Appliances, and especially his leadership in workforce development where he has made a lasting difference in the Louisville community with our public schools and ensuring a robust apprenticeship pipeline for manufacturers in the city,” says Nolan.

In her career, Rockingham has juggled roles related to communications, public affairs and human resources. At the early stage of her career, Rockingham was with GM handling HR and labour relations for more than five years. Moving on, she joined Daimler Chrysler, where she handled public affairs and communications as a senior public affairs manager. After four years, she moved on to Sunbeam Corporation as VP – communications and spent close to five years with the Company. When Rockingham joined Jarden Consumer Solutions in 2004, she joined as a VP and global communications head, but after spending 11 long years in this role, she moved into an HR leadership role as the SVP and HR. This happened just after Newell Rubbermaid acquired Jarden in 2016.

Rockingham spent a significant part of her career — over 17 years — at Jarden (now merged with Newell).

A graduate in journalism, communications and public affairs, Rockingham also carries a master’s degree in organisational communication from Western Michigan University.