Celebrating a Legacy: Tony Rosa’s Remarkable Journey with GE Aerospace
October 21, 2024 | by Gina Daugherty
It’s truly a celebration for the record books. After more than 70 years of dedicated service to GE Aerospace, staff engineer and technologist Tony Rosa is headed into his next adventure: a well-deserved retirement.
In a remarkable career that spanned 73 years, Rosa, GE’s longest-serving employee, is leaving an unmatched legacy, not just in terms of his longevity, but also for his profound contributions to GE Aerospace and the aviation industry.
“After over seven decades with GE, I feel an immense sense of pride and gratitude. It’s been an incredible journey of innovation, learning, and growth. I’ve had the privilege to work with some of the brightest minds and witness the evolution of technology firsthand. GE Aerospace has been more than just a workplace; it’s been a second home. I’m thankful for the opportunities and the lifelong friendships I’ve made along the way,” says the longtime employee of the company’s Lynn, Massachusetts, engine-manufacturing plant.
Rosa’s journey with GE began on June 11, 1951, in the Test Engineering Training Program, where he worked on the testing and evaluation of fuel pumps, turbo alternators, and turbo hydraulic packs, laying the groundwork for a career that would be defined by innovation and excellence.
After seven decades, he’s witnessed a lot of change.
“When I first started, we relied on slide rules, log sheets, and calculators. We didn’t have computers,” says the 93-year-old workhorse. “Now you can initiate and monitor an engine test while you’re actually sitting there. The engine development instrumentation techniques have changed dramatically over the years. There are so many things that exist to improve the quality and quantity of work … it’s great. You have all these electronic tools that generate a ton of information instantaneously so you can be more precise and timelier.”
His expertise and passion for engineering propelled him through various roles, including working at GE Aerospace locations throughout the United States.
He returned to Lynn in 1955 and served in a range of positions, from evaluation engineer for the J85 turbojet and CF700 turbofan development engines to service engineer for the T-38 and F-5 programs.
His leadership as the Midwest field project manager for CJ610 and CF700 turbofans showcased his ability to interface with critical business jet operators. And thanks to Rosa’s knack for problem-solving and his pioneering spirit, he played a crucial role in the development and evaluation of these engines, contributing to the advancements in turbojet and turbofan technology and, in the process, enhancing GE Aerospace’s reputation in the aviation sector.
“Whenever you think your job is becoming stale, things would change, and new experiences would evolve — that’s the beauty of working in GE Aerospace,” he says. “And I always enjoyed interacting with all the people around me.”
In recent years, Rosa has served as a model engineer for international T700 platforms, focusing on Japanese and Canadian fleets. His creation of the Model Evolution Chart, a comprehensive guide detailing the progression of the T700 engine family, underscores his commitment to knowledge transfer and mentorship within GE Aerospace.
Even with all of his achievements, the record-setting engineer remains humble, embodying the spirit of dedication that will continue to inspire generations of engineers.
His commitment to fitness, family, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence leaves an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to work alongside him.
In the annals of GE Aerospace’s storied history, few names shine as brightly as Tony Rosa’s.
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GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.
