EXHIBIT 99.1


[GENCORP LOGO]


NEWS RELEASE
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INVESTOR CONTACTS:  YASMIN SEYAL
                    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & 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 NAMES KARI VAN GUNDY VICE PRESIDENT AND TREASURER

SACRAMENTO, CALIF., SEPT. 30, 2002 -- GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY), announced today
that Kari Van Gundy will join the Company as vice president, Treasurer,
effective October 1, 2002. She will report to Yasmin Seyal, the Company's senior
vice president and CFO.

"Given GenCorp's growth strategy, it is imperative that we have strong,
experienced leadership in our Treasury function," said Ms. Seyal. "Kari will
play a significant role in oversight of the Company's capital structure
planning, banking relationships, cash management, and pension asset investment."

For the last 14 years, Ms. Van Gundy has held senior executive and financial
positions with Zenith National Insurance Corp. (NYSE: ZNT), a holding company
with assets of approximately $1.5 billion. Most recently, she was senior vice
president, eCommerce for Zenith Insurance Company. Prior to that she served as
senior vice president, Finance and Treasurer of the CalFarm Insurance Companies,
former subsidiaries of Zenith.

Prior to her tenure at Zenith, Ms. Van Gundy was an engagement manager at
Coopers and Lybrand. She has also worked as an auditor for the California Office
of the Auditor General, and the California State Board of Equalization. She
received her Bachelors of Business Administration from Pacific Lutheran
University, Tacoma Washington, and is a member of American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public
Accountants.




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

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