When Paul Misci ’13 reflects on his time at Holy Cross, he remembers the foundation it laid for his career, leadership style, and values. Now in a leadership role at GE Aerospace, Paul carries with him not only the skills he learned on the Hill, but the ethos of service and curiosity that Holy Cross helped shape.
Paul always felt like he would be able to succeed one day in a business role. He credits the College’s business programs and its deep bench of alumni, like John Mahoney ‘73, former CFO of Staples, and Brian Kelley ‘83, former CEO at Keurig, as early inspirations. “They had liberal arts degrees and built incredible business careers. It showed me that no matter what you major in, you’ll walk away from Holy Cross with life skills that apply to any business path,” Paul says, echoing the Ciocca Center’s motto of ‘major in anything and succeed in business.’
What stood out most for Paul was how his liberal arts education trained him to solve problems. “That’s what I do all day,” he said. “Even just thinking back to how you write a research paper, breaking down a problem, analyzing, and coming to a conclusion, it’s the same method I use today, whether it’s with customers, internal tools, or software issues.” Communication is also crucial: “Reading, writing, and communicating well is crucial. It’s not just about managing people, it’s about truly understanding them.”
Now a Director at GE Aerospace, Paul makes it clear that leadership, for him, is about more than deliverables. “At Holy Cross, there was this focus on caring for the whole person. I bring that to my leadership style, helping people grow, understanding what’s going on in their lives, and making accommodations that let them succeed at work and at home.”
Paul’s leadership journey has taken him many different routes. One pivotal moment was when he took a two-year assignment in Abu Dhabi as a commercial manager during his time working at Raytheon. “It was a leap,” he admitted. “A lot of people say they want to go abroad, but few actually do it. It was tough but transformative.” That assignment gave Paul valuable experience working with international clients and taught him to operate independently. “It changed the trajectory of my career and made me grow in ways I never expected.”
Today, Paul leads from a home office, working remotely while managing major relationships with clients like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. government. “We’re a lean organization, so I kick off each day with a stand-up, triaging issues and working through proposals or program updates.” While his job is high-stakes, Paul is excited by the evolving workplace at GE. “It’s smaller, more focused, and very people-first.” He praised the onboarding culture, particularly the personal “Get to Know” meetings baked into the team dynamic. “You meet the person before the job title, and that matters.”
In a rapidly changing world, Paul is leaning into emerging tech to help him become more efficient and effective.. “In my role, AI has made our lives so much easier. We deal with massive documents, sometimes 900 pages long, and now we can use GE’s AI platform, Wingmate, to search for certain clauses we need or to summarize them instantly.” For Paul, AI isn’t a threat, it’s a tool. “It’s not about replacing jobs. It’s about being more efficient so we can focus on adding value. Whether it’s scanning old test data or helping customers use information better, AI is transforming how we work.”
At Holy Cross, Paul felt service was ingrained into campus life. Paul remembers joining SPUD in his first year and working with Nativity School students throughout all four years. “Watching those students grow and seeing where they ended up after graduating was incredible,” he said. That commitment to service followed him into professional life. At his previous job, he helped start days of service. Now at GE, he’s excited about the company’s involvement in National Week of Service. “It’s still a part of my life. Whenever I have a career break, I use that time to give back, whether it’s at a food bank or with a local nonprofit.”
Paul credits his continued professional growth to his network and his willingness to keep learning. “Mentors matter, and they don’t always have to be older. I learn a ton from peers and younger colleagues, too.” He also encourages staying curious and embracing change. “I read a lot, go to seminars, and push to bring those learnings back to my team. You have to stay sharp, especially with how fast tech and business are moving.”
Paul also made the most of his time outside the classroom at Holy Cross. He fondly remembers his acapella group, now defunct, but a key part of his social life and lasting friendships and his unlikely path to becoming Student Government Co-President. “I told my roommate I’d never run,” he laughed. “But by junior year, I was in.” He credits student government with teaching him budgeting, team management, and leadership, skills he still uses today.
Remote work has its perks, but it takes discipline, which is why Paul has a daily routine to stay focused and healthy. “I go to the gym every morning, take breaks, and I try to separate work from personal space,” he said. “Also, put the phone down during work periods. We’re so dopamine-driven now. You’ve got to create those boundaries.”
He encourages others, especially early-career professionals, to prioritize relationship building. “Be in person when you can. Travel for off-sites. Build your network. Those connections really matter.” Paul’s career is a reminder that impact comes from staying curious, leading with purpose, and never losing sight of what matters most: people.
Paul is an admirable example of the Holy Cross and Jesuit principle, “men and women for others,” as well as the Ciocca Center’s motto of “major in anything, succeed in business.”