EXHIBIT 99.1


[GENCORP LOGO]


News Release
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Investor Contacts:  Yasmin Seyal
                    Chief Financial Officer
                    GenCorp Inc.
                    916-351-8585

Press Contacts:     Linda Beech Cutler
                    Vice President, Corporate Communications
                    GenCorp Inc.
                    916-351-8650


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                          GENCORP ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS
                       TERRY HALL NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO
                   YASMIN SEYAL NAMED CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


SACRAMENTO, CA. -- MAY 16, 2002 -- GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) today announced that
Terry Hall, currently Chief Operating Officer (COO), has been promoted to
President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2002. He will also
become a member of GenCorp's Board of Directors effective immediately. Bob
Wolfe, who has announced his intention to retire at the end of 2003, will remain
Chairman of the Board. The Company also announced that Yasmin Seyal, Senior Vice
President, Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has been promoted to
CFO.

Hall joined GenCorp as CFO in May 1999. In September 2001, he was promoted to
COO with corporate responsibility for all GenCorp's business units, including
Aerojet, Aerojet Fine Chemicals, GDX Automotive and GenCorp Real Estate. Prior
to GenCorp, Hall was with U.S. Airways, an $8 billion airline holding company
where he was Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Hall
also served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Apogee
Enterprises, Inc., and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tyco
International. He also held the position of Vice President and Treasurer for
United Airlines, and Vice President, General Manager, and Chief Operating
Officer at Northwest Aircraft, Inc. A graduate of Bemidji State University in
Minnesota, Hall also received a law degree from the University of Minnesota
School of Law, Minneapolis.



"Terry has been instrumental in helping reposition our business units for
sustained growth," Wolfe said. "His significant financial, operational and
corporate development expertise will be a critical asset as we continue to
refine and implement our long-term strategic initiatives."

Seyal has been with GenCorp since 1989, holding finance positions of increasing
responsibility, including Tax Manager, Assistant Treasurer and Director of
Taxes, and Corporate Treasurer prior to her appointment as Senior Vice
President, Finance, and Acting CFO in September 2001. Before joining GenCorp,
Seyal was with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. In addition to being a Certified Public
Accountant, Seyal is a member of the Tax Executives Institute (TEI), member of
the Aerospace Industry Association (AIA) Tax Committee, and a member of the
Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, Inc. (MAPI). She holds
an MA degree in accounting from Aberdeen University, Scotland, and an MS degree
in tax from the Golden Gate University, Sacramento.

"Yasmin has an illustrious track record at the Company, repeatedly demonstrating
her financial strength and expertise," said Wolfe. "As CFO, she will assume
additional leadership and financial management responsibilities for the business
units, and will lead the effort to increase GenCorp's presence with the
investment community."

GenCorp is a technology-based manufacturer with leading positions in the
aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical fine chemicals, and automotive industries.
For more information, visit the Company's website at www.gencorp.com