NATION

Jack L. Heckel was elected president and chief operating officer of GenCorp, the Akron, Ohio, aerospace, automotive and entertainment industries conglomerate. Heckel was chairman and chief executive of Aerojet General, GenCorp’s La Jolla aerospace subsidiary.

Heckel takes over as GenCorp president from company Chairman and Chief Executive A. William Reynolds, who will retain his other two titles.

Aerojet President George W. Leisz will assume Heckel’s Aerojet positions.