University of Colorado Boulder. Photo: MECU ( MECU ≈ talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Main_-_Colorado.jpg)
GE Aerospace. Photo: Fletcher6, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:General_Electric_Building_570_Lexington.jpg)
Medtronic plc. Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-0610-001-Fridley-MedtronicHQ.JPG)
University of Colorado Boulder. Photo: MECU ( MECU ≈ talk ), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Main_-_Colorado.jpg)
GE Aerospace. Photo: Fletcher6, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:General_Electric_Building_570_Lexington.jpg)
Medtronic plc. Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009-0610-001-Fridley-MedtronicHQ.JPG)
engineer entrepreneur chief executive officer
Scott C. Donnelly was born on January 31, 1962. His professional background developed during a period when American manufacturing companies were integrating engineering, industrial research, computing, and international operations into large diversified enterprises.
Donnelly received a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1984. The university is a major public research institution whose engineering programs are connected with the technological and industrial development of the Rocky Mountain region.
His education in electrical and computer engineering provided a foundation for work in electronics design, industrial control systems, aerospace technology, and corporate research and development.
Donnelly began his career at General Electric in 1989 as manager of Electronics Design Engineering for the company’s Ocean Systems Division in Syracuse, New York. GE was one of the United States’ major diversified industrial corporations, with businesses spanning electrical systems, manufacturing, medical technology, aviation, and research. He subsequently held engineering-management positions associated with GE’s Martin Marietta operations in the United States and Australia.
In 1995, Donnelly moved to GE’s Industrial Control Systems business, where he held management positions in technology and systems development. In 1997, he became a GE vice president responsible for Global Technology Operations at GE Healthcare. GE Healthcare operated within the expanding medical-technology industry, applying engineering, imaging, electronics, and information systems to clinical and diagnostic equipment.
Donnelly later served as senior vice president and director of GE Global Research, one of the company’s principal industrial research organizations. In July 2005, he became president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation, a business producing commercial and military aircraft engines and related aircraft systems. His GE career combined design engineering, industrial systems, healthcare technology, research management, and aerospace leadership.
Donnelly joined Textron in June 2008 as executive vice president and chief operating officer and became president and chief operating officer in January 2009. Textron is a diversified industrial corporation whose businesses include aircraft, defense systems, specialized vehicles, and other industrial products. He became Textron’s chief executive officer in December 2009 and chairman of the board in September 2010.
As Textron’s chief executive, Donnelly led the company through the aftermath of the global financial crisis, emphasizing liquidity, restructuring, operating improvements, product development, and renewed acquisition activity. During his tenure, Textron expanded and developed businesses in aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, including through acquisitions such as Arctic Cat and other specialized industrial companies.
On January 4, 2026, Lisa M. Atherton succeeded Donnelly as Textron’s president and chief executive officer, and Donnelly became executive chairman of the board. In this role, he continued serving as a senior corporate leader while the company separated its chairmanship from its chief executive position.
Donnelly advanced through engineering, technology, research, and executive leadership positions at General Electric, culminating in his appointment as president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation.
As Textron’s chief executive officer, Donnelly led restructuring, operating improvements, product-development efforts, and renewed acquisition activity during and after the global financial crisis.
Donnelly served on the National Commission on Military Aviation Safety, which examined military aviation accidents, readiness, and safety practices and issued recommendations for improving aviation safety.
Donnelly has participated in professional, corporate, aerospace, scientific, and museum organizations. His documented service has included board-level roles with Medtronic, the Aerospace Industries Association, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Commission on Military Aviation Safety.
These organizations connect medical technology, aerospace and defense policy, aviation history, and national aviation safety. His association with them reflects the range of industries represented in his engineering and corporate career.
Served as a director.
Medtronic plc Board of Directors , United States
2013 - present
Served as chairman of the board of governors in 2010.
Aerospace Industries Association Board of Governors , United States
2010
Served as a commissioner on the congressionally established commission examining military aviation safety.
National Commission on Military Aviation Safety , United States
2019 - 2020
Served as a board member of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
National Air and Space Museum Board , United States
Served as a member of the committee advising the National Institute of Standards and Technology on advanced technology programs.
NIST Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology , United States
2005
Donnelly joined the board of directors of Medtronic in 2013. Medtronic is a global medical-technology company, and his board service connected his experience in engineering, industrial research, and large-scale corporate management with medical-device innovation and governance.
He also served in aerospace and aviation advisory capacities, including as a member of the National Commission on Military Aviation Safety and through leadership involvement with the Aerospace Industries Association. He has been associated with the National Air and Space Museum, a Smithsonian museum devoted to the history and science of aviation and spaceflight.
