Elfun Society Frequently Asked Questions

Dan Lovinger of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was selected by the GE Elfun Board of Directors to receive the organization's prestigious Gerard Swope Award in 2008.

The Swope Award is given periodically to the active or retired GE Elfun whose long and meritorious service is deserving of global recognition. The award is named after GE President Gerard Swope, who founded Elfun in 1928.

Lovinger was the 31st person to receive the Swope Award, joining a list of previous recipients including GE leaders "Electric Charlie" Wilson, Ralph Cordiner, Reginald Jones, and Jack Welch. The honor was bestowed by GE Elfun President Joe Gould at a dinner in Fort Wayne on July 16.

"Dan Lovinger was the unanimous choice of the Elfun board to receive this recognition, and rightly so," said Gould. "Dan has been unselfish and untiring in support of Elfun since joining the organization in 1956. That's more than a half century of high-priority dedication and major accomplishments."

Dan and Lois Lovinger
Photo: Tony Yocco

Lovinger graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1951 and immediately joined GE as a member of the engineering training program. He advanced quickly to management positions, becoming General Manager of the GE Ballast Business in 1972.

He was General Manager of GE's Specialty Transformer Business in Fort Wayne when he retired in 1990. During his career he was an advocate for GE Elfun. When the Elfuns began a concentrated focus on Volunteerism in 1981, his support for civic and charitable activities was then, and always has been, exemplary.

He has led the GE Fort Wayne GE employee/retiree grantings of 99 "Make-a-Wish" gifts for children with life-threatening illnesses, been a 30-year leader in Fort Wayne's Junior Achievement programs, including ten years as a teacher, and has led the highly successful GE Elfun "Talking Books" Repair program, repairing or refurbishing more than 12,500 talking books for visually-impaired citizens.

In addition to his Fort Wayne accomplishments with Elfun, Lovinger served one term as a member of the global organization's Board of Directors.

"Everything Dan does shows care and concern for others," said Gould. "I particularly admire his unassuming leadership skills. He's constantly and quietly helping people wherever he is, especially including his fellow Elfuns. Dan epitomizes the spirit of GE Elfun."

Dan and his wife, Lois, have four children and seven grandchildren.