#RisingToTheChallenge - Witt Vichit-Vadakan

1. Can you briefly give us some background on your professional journey to date?

I started my professional career working as a diplomat/civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand. Later, I served at several headquarters and?international postings including the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane, Lao PDR.?After leaving the Ministry, I started a small family business dealing with real estate?management before joining GE in late 2013, where I am now Government Engagement Director?for Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar?and representing GE as country leader in Thailand. In this position, I’m driving the government engagement activities by developing policy strategies, coordinating major projects involving government affairs across the region and presenting GE’s interests before federal and provincial institutions.

2. What inspired you to join GE?

I joined GE with the long-term vision to gain the opportunities and ability to help Thailand.?GE products have contributed to Thailand’s successful economy and?its rise to the global stage, while touching the daily lives of Thai people. It is great to be part of this process to help my country – it is the reason I've been with GE for nine?years and counting.

3. What work are you most passionate about doing at GE?

Government Relations and GE Volunteers – both are similar lines of work but benefiting different segments of the community.?Government Relations helps bring the best to the?country while maintaining the benefits for the company.?GE Volunteers allows me to give back to the community and say “Thank you” for what Thailand has been?providing to GE for the past half a century.

4. What are some of the challenges you have faced in your role and how did you overcome them? Any recent examples that you can share?

Several challenges were faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but none were greater than the closure of international borders to all visitors.?GE still has obligations?and commitments to customers, especially in power generation, healthcare equipment, and air transport to help keep all equipment – which are life necessities –?running at the optimum level with minimal downtime. Solutions were worked out, including long-distance/virtual consultation, training of technicians/engineers on?the ground to handle various situations, and working with relevant government authority to bring in foreign technicians in a manner that would be safe for the?country, the Thai public and the GE visitors.

The one most memorable event was being the only GE representative on the ground, in negotiations with an aviation customer to help the airlines through their?rehabilitation phase. It was challenging not only because of the quick tutoring required on both the financial and technical aspects of the discussion, but also maintaining a balance between our customer and the company’s needs – to find a mutually agreeable win-win situation.?Happily, it was a successful conclusion with a solution that?benefited all.

5. What are you looking forward to in 2022 for GE in Thailand?

The return to normalcy.?Face-to-face interactions have been missing for the past two years. I am looking forward to a new chapter of GE Volunteers giving back to the Thai?community; to more post-pandemic opportunities in Thailand.

6. Do you have any closing statements to share with the readers??

Nothing is impossible. A solution is always around the corner. I feel that this is a time of uncertainty for many in GE – with the upcoming changes that all of us are?facing.?One must continue to look on the bright side and never give up because there will always be the right and suitable solution available.