Jay Wileman, president & CEO of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, will serve as chairman of the American Heart Association’s 2019 Cape Fear Heart Walk, the organization announced in a news release. The walk will take place Oct. 26 on the University of North Carolina Wilmington campus.

Wileman will build an executive leadership committee comprised of local business and community leaders that will spearhead the walk’s logistics and fundraising efforts. The American Heart Association (AHA) and Wileman have set a goal to raise $250,000 to fund heart disease and stroke research and educational outreach programs, the release stated.

"With more than 30 years’ experience, Wileman has led many global teams to success across the energy spectrum," the release stated. "Since returning to Wilmington in 2012, he has applied his leadership skills to support the community and currently serves on the campaign committee for the United Way of the Cape Fear Area."

“Our support of heart health at GE is long-standing and the mission of the American Heart Association is something I am passionate about,” Wileman said in the release. “It is an honor to be working with our local business community to lead the fight against heart disease.”

The Cape Fear Heart Walk is a non-competitive walk designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living. It is a key component of the American Heart Association’s movement "Healthy For Good," according to the releae. The movement helps all Americans lead healthier lives by delivering science-based recommendations, tools, tips and motivation to build healthier behaviors.