Chief Executive Officer

David L. Calhoun is Chief Executive Officer of Nielsen. He was appointed to this role in August 2006.

Prior to joining Nielsen, David served as Vice Chairman of The General Electric Co. and President and Chief Executive Officer of GE Infrastructure, the largest of six GE business units. Under David’s leadership, this business annually contributed more than $47 billion in revenues and $9 billion in profits to the company, driven by a team of over 120,000 employees around the world.

During his 26-year career with General Electric, David served as President and Chief Executive Officer of multiple business units, including GE Lighting, GE Employers Reinsurance Co., GE Aircraft Engines, GE Transportation (Aircraft and Rail) and ultimately GE Infrastructure. 

Earlier in his career at General Electric, David held a wide range of operating, finance, and marketing roles across the corporate team as well as within GE Plastics and GE Capital. David joined GE after graduating from Virginia Tech in 1979.

David is the co-author of a book with Rick Kash titled How Companies Win. He also sits on the Board of Directors of The Boeing Company and Caterpillar, and is a member of Virginia Tech’s Pamplin Advisory Council, which advises the university on student and alumni issues.