08 Feb 05. Northrop Grumman Corporation has established a new business area – Directed Energy Systems – to help transition high-energy laser systems from the laboratory to warfighters, the most advanced of which will be able to engage mortars, rockets, artillery and other threats to protect U.S. and allied military and civilian populations and assets. Established at the company’s Space Technology sector, DES positions the company to better take advantage of upcoming opportunities in directed energy applications. In 2004, the Airborne Laser (ABL) program achieved ‘first light’ of the Northrop Grumman-built, megawatt-class laser, and the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL) testbed proved its versatility by repeatedly shooting down mortars and large-caliber rockets in-flight.
27 Jan 05. Embraer is expanding its maintenance operation in Nashville to meet the growing demand for full-service aircraft maintenance in the United States. Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services Inc. (EAMS) will build a new 70,000 square-foot facility at Nashville International Airport (BNA) to add capacity and capability for maintenance on the fast growing fleet of Embraer aircraft in North America. As a consequence of this important move, 140 to 160 new employees will be eventually added to EAMS’ current workforce of 200-plus employees.
05 Feb 04. Powell Electronics, Inc., a national electronic distributor of value-added interconnect products, switches, sensors, and assemblies, has been certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a HUBZone Small Business Concern through the HUBZone Empowerment Contracting Program. This designation makes Powell, headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, eligible to receive additional federal contract opportunities. SBA’s HUBZone program, which stands for Historically Underutilized Business Zone, is in line with the efforts of Congress to promote economic development and employment growth in distressed areas by providing access to more Federal contracting opportunities.
09 Feb 05. Carly Fiorina, one of the U.S.’s highest profile corporate executives, was forced out as chairman and chief executive of Hewlett-Packard Co., bringing a close to a contentious tenure that put her at odds with the
company’s board. Robert P. Wayman, a 36-year veteran of H-P and current chief financial officer, has been named interim CEO and appointed to the board. Patricia C. Dunn, an H-P director since 1998, has been named nonexecutive chairman, also effective immediately, the company said. “While I regret the board and I have differences about how to execute H-P’s strategy, I respect their decision,” said Ms. Fiorina, 50 years old, in H-P’s press release. “H-P is a great company and I wish all the people of H-P much success in the future,” she said.Ms. Fiorina, a star salesperson at Lucent Technologies Inc., was hired as H-P’s chief executive in July 1999. She championed its 2002 acquistion of Compaq Computer Corp. despite fierce resistance from some shareholders, including Walter Hewlett, the son of one of HP’s late co-founders. (Source: WSJ)
08 Feb 05. HP board move raises concerns. The sudden resignation of a Hewlett-Packard board member, as well the return of a retired HP director to fill the vacancy, could be a sign of deeper issues at the US computer and printer maker.HP dismissed that report as “pure speculation” but it has not provided an explanation about the board changes. The company said in a regulatory filing late on Monday that Sanford Litvack, a former vice-chairman at Walt Disney, had stepped down from HP’s board on February 2. The company had said he would not stand for re-election at the annual shareholders meeting in March.Mr Litvack was replaced by Thomas Perkins, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who was an HP director from 2002 to 2004. HP last year said Mr Perkins, 73, left the board because company policy barred directors over 70 years old. Mr Elson said it was highly unusual to ask a former director to