Constance Rodts, who serves as Executive General Counsel for GE Gas Power, began her career more than 25 years ago as a private practice attorney. After graduating from law school, Rodts passed the bar exam in both Texas and Georgia, then worked for a little over a decade as a commercial litigator at a variety of firms before joining the team at GE Gas Power.
While her career spanned many cases, firms, and clients, Constance told us she simply never liked the litigation aspect of her role. “When I got an opportunity to apply at GE Gas Power for a position, I took it—and the rest is history.”
Constance came to GE Gas Power as a commercial lawyer for North America, helping the team build their Gas Power Services business. During this time, Constance gained valuable experience while working on US and international contracts. Since then, she has served as the General Counsel for the company’s North American region and also has global responsibilities across their Gas Power business, including advising as the lead commercial lawyer on M&A transactions and advising the global Sales team on Gas Power’s commercial offerings.
Working for a company like GE, with its 130-year history of providing essential resources to the world, brings with it a sense of responsibility and pride for her. “In my business, we make the power generation equipment that makes the world go,” she says. Her pride is a driving factor behind Constance’s work ethic and she has always felt like a caretaker of GE’s brand since she joined. “People know our brand all over the world and we are entrusted with building on that history.”
Outside the vast purpose and mission of GE Gas Power, a major part of Constance’s commitment to the company comes from the incredible individuals she works with. It isn’t just the work that has made Constance such a long-tenured GE employee. “The reason why our employees stay is because of the people—plain and simple. There are really bright people here, but they are also a lot of fun to work with. When our employees retire, the number one thing they mention at their retirement dinner is that they will miss the people most. I’ve been here for 16 years, and it’s absolutely the case.”
By working in a company that offers an ideal combination of meaningful, purpose-driven work and an atmosphere of hard-working, thoughtful, and smart employees, Constance says she finds a higher purpose in her career that keeps her at GE Gas Power, even through the tough times. “You’ve got to love your job,” she advises. “It’s not your whole life, but you’ve got to like who you’re working with, and you’ve got to respect what your company is doing.”
We asked Constance how GE Gas Power can manifest such an excellent workplace culture while maintaining its more than century-long mission of providing equipment that powers the world. She told us it starts by focusing on developing people first. Constance added that leadership development plays a core role in GE Gas Power’s approach to investing in its own employees and that team members have ample opportunities to expand their skills to scale their careers within the company.
According to Constance, GE Gas Power has increased its focus on diversity, with the organization making strides to implement equity and inclusion measures within the workplace. “Our D&I journey is never over, and we have work to do, but the renewed focus is refreshing. We’ve evolved to have a more diverse employee base.” She adds that she “firmly believes in the diversity march that we’re all on.”
As a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, asexual, and intersex (LGBTQAI+) community herself, Constance is fully invested in the company’s approach to diversity and inclusion. She understands on a personal level how GE Gas Power can improve its efforts to support members of the organization who may be facing unique challenges. “You have to set the values at the top so that on a local level, people understand what you stand for and that mutual respect and inclusion is important to the company. A lot of things can become priorities, but our people have to be first—otherwise, it becomes harder and harder to meet our other business goals.”
Constance is also a leader of the Pride Alliance, one of the company’s many employee resource groups (ERGs) that helps them find support, understanding and advocacy in the workplace. The ERGs are also a great opportunity for each member to expand their network and opportunities. GE Gas Power’s Pride Alliance raises awareness around LGBTQ+ issues and works to foster inclusive work environments. The Pride Alliance also promotes GE’s commitment to finding and developing LGBTQ+ talent and engages in meaningful conversations with senior leadership.
“We all need Allies, no matter who we are,” says Constance. ”Whether we’re visible or invisible minorities, having upstanding people who are going to encourage and promote you, provide safe environments, and push respect, equity, and inclusiveness is vital.”
As a gay woman at GE Gas Power, Constance says she has taken on a leadership role to help other women and LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen and heard. “I’m a leader who’s out and trying to get others to make sure they feel safe to come out and be their full selves at the office. It is such a heavy burden to pretend to be somebody you’re not, and we really want everyone at GE Gas Power to bring their best self to work.” Constance added that she looks forward to doing her part at the company so GE Gas Power will continue to grow and evolve in the next 130 years.
By offering these resources, development opportunities, and ERGs to its employees, GE Gas Power hopes to invest in everyone’s personal growth so that they bring their most authentic selves into the workplace. And that will ultimately help the company achieve its mission of providing cleaner, more accessible energy that powers growth and prosperity everywhere.
If you’d like to learn more about the Pride Alliance and opportunities at GE Gas Power, you can sign up to be a part of the company’s talent community at http://invent.ge/geppride.