Robert (Bob) Wolfe
Chairman & CEO (retired)
GenCorp

The School of Aerospace Engineering is extremely proud of this year’s awardees, and is looking forward to a special ceremony that will take place this Saturday, April 28th at the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta.

Bob Wolfe received his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1962.  He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy before joining McDonnell Aircraft  as a design engineer.  At the height of the Vietnam conflict he became a lead engineer with the Army Aviation Systems Command.   Later serving as a civilian executive he was involved in the selection and development of the Army’s new Blackhawk and Apache helicopter systems.  He was then chosen as the Deputy Director of the Selection Committee for the Target Acquisition System integrated into the Apache helicopter.  In 1972, Bob returned to Georgia Tech where he received his master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering.  In 1981, Bob moved to Denver and joined Martin Marietta to become Systems Integration Director for the Peacekeeper Intercontinental Missile Program.  From 1990 to 1993, Bob served as Executive Vice President of Pratt & Whitney’s Government and Space Propulsion Division and was responsible for the development and production of liquid and air breathing military and space engines, as well as solid rocket space propulsion.   In this role, Bob was responsible for the first space propulsion joint venture with Russia.  In 1994, Bob was promoted to President, Large Commercial Engines and Executive Vice President, Pratt & Whitney Group responsible for the development, production, sales and service of Pratt & Whitney’s engine product line for the worldwide commercial airline industry.

Bob joined GenCorp in 1997 as President of Aerojet, GenCorp’s aerospace/defense company.  In 1999, he was elected as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GenCorp, while during his tenure was a diverse public company with worldwide operations in space propulsion, space defense systems, tactical defense missile propulsion, automotive rubber products, pharmaceutical chemicals and large real estate development.

Bob is the recipient of two U.S. Government Meritorious Civilian Service Awards and is a charter member of Georgia Tech’s Academy of Distinguished Engineering Alumni.  He previously served as an Advisory Board member of Georgia Tech College of Engineering, University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management and the University of Connecticut School of Management.  Currently, he is a Director of The Aerospace Museum of California, Director of Five Star Bank and Member of the Planning/Finance Committee of Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region.