MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE
LOCATIONS
19 Sep 07. Azure Dynamics Corporation has established its new corporate headquarters in Oak Park, Michigan, in the greater Detroit area. “We are pleased to have found a facility in a strategic location that meets all of our ongoing business development and production needs,” said Scott Harrison, Azure’s Chief Executive Officer. “As we continue to advance our commercialization activities, and with the scope of our opportunity in working with Ford Motor Company and other automotive industry leaders, it is important for us to be in close proximity to these key players.” “Azure’s decision to locate its headquarters here attests to Michigan’s leadership in the alternative fuel industry,” Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. “We look forward to partnering with Azure as the company grows and creates high-tech jobs and diversifies our 21st century economy.”
Sep 07. Athena Technologies, Inc. celebrated the opening of its new corporate facility in the Vint Hill Tech Park in Warrenton, Virginia. Dr. David Vos, Athena’s CEO and a recent gubernatorial appointee to the Vint Hill Economic Development Authority Board of Commissioners, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the opening. He was joined by local government dignitaries Congressman Frank Wolf, 10th District, Virginia; Vice Chairman Ray Graham, Fauquier County Board of Supervisors; and Peter Schwartz, Vint Hill Economic Development Authority Commissioner (retired) and Supervisor-elect of the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors. The new facility was designed and built to accommodate Athena’s rapid growth, which averages 30% to 50% per year. (Source: Shephard)
JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
14 Sep 07. HMS ARGYLL: Commanding Officer Removed. The MoD confirmed (14 Sep 07) that the Commanding Officer of HMS ARGYLL had been “removed from command” in what was described as “an administrative action, not disciplinary”.
Comment: The MoD was responding to a report in ‘The Sun’ newspaper, which first broke the story. No further details were available at the time of writing, but the removal of any Commanding Officer is a cause for concern. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0736, 17 Sep 07)
18 Sep 07. Russian Defense Minister Resigns, PM Says. Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov has resigned but the full lineup of the new cabinet was still being considered by President Vladimir Putin, the new prime minister said Sept. 18. “I spoke with Serdyukov and we came to a decision that considering our close family ties he should submit his resignation,” Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov said in comments shown on Russian television. Serdyukov is married to Zubkov’s daughter. (Source: Defense News)
PERSONNEL
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
12 Sep 07. Germany: Withdrawal of Army Units. The Armed Forces’ Minister announced (12 Sep 07) provisional plans for the relocation of some 3,600 troops from Germany to the UK. HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (HQ ARRC) is expected to move to Innsworth in Gloucestershire between 2009 and 2011. Subsequently, 1 Signal Brigade (1 Sig Bde) and 102 Logistics Brigade (102 Log Bde) are planned to move to Cosford in Shropshire. Final approvals are not expected before the end of 2007 for the HQ ARRC move and Spring 2009 for the two Brigade moves.
Comment: Innsworth was formerly the location of RAF Personnel and Training Command (now amalgamated into Air Command). Cosford houses The Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering. Under present plans Rhine and Osnabrück Garrisons are to close by 2014, leaving 15,000 British troops in Germany. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 0736, 17 Sep 07)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
17 Sep 07. Bush names new attorney general. US President George W Bush has named retired federal judge Michael Mukasey as the replacement for the former US Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales. Mr Mukasey has presided over a number of high-profile terror trials and is seen as a conservative, anal