Responding to the announcement that General Electric Co.'s James P. Campbell is retiring at the end of the year, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., praised the appliance CEO as an innovator and job creator.The 54-year-old is stepping down after three decades at the company and overseeing a $1 billion investment in its appliance department, which is headquartered in Louisville.From Yarmuth's office: "Jim Campbell is an innovator whose leadership has moved GE and Louisville into a new era of manufacturing. Jim understands that business and government have an essential relationship. On his watch, GE has embraced public-private partnerships and worked with the federal government to help revitalize Appliance Park. I am proud to have stood by his side to announce product lines coming back to Louisville and the creation of more than 1,100 new local jobs. Jim has been a strong and creative leader during one of the most difficult economic times our country has endured. I wish him all the best."