LOCATIONS
LAND
30 May 23. Marshall Aerospace to establish maintenance facility in Canada. Marshall is reinforcing its commitment to developing Canada as its second home market with the announcement of plans to establish an aircraft maintenance facility complementing its existing incountry
aerospace engineering business.
While the company has yet to make a final decision regarding location, it has identified Abbotsford as its preferred location with the intention of being ready to start operations by the end of 2025. The
new facility will create valuable domestic capacity to meet growing global demand for Marshall’s industry-leading maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and aircraft modification capability.
Marshall CEO Kathy Jenkins explains: “Marshall has been operating a very successful Aerospace business in Canada since 2006 so opening an aircraft maintenance facility is a natural next step, enabling us to provide a greater level of support to our growing global customer base.
“Later this year we are also looking forward to opening the doors on our new Land Systems facility in
Moncton, New Brunswick which will manufacture a wide range of deployable infrastructure for the Canadian and export markets.
“In addition, Marshall Skills Academy recently launched a new partnership with industry and academia to deliver a program of ‘Earn as you Learn’ qualifications to attract new talent into the
engineering and manufacturing sectors. This will help address the well-documented skills gap in Canada, and is something we are well placed to expand beyond New Brunswick over the months ahead.
“I believe our increased presence across these three critical sectors of the defence market makes Marshall Canada a very compelling and exciting proposition which will create a wealth of export,
employment, and education opportunities in our second home market.”
Mary Ng, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business & Economic
Development, welcomed the move, saying: ”Canada is a top investment destination because we
have a proven track record. Last March, Kathy and I spoke about the benefits of investing in Canada
– and today it’s terrific to see that Canada has been chosen as Marshall’s investment destination! It is
thanks to our Canada-UK trade partnership that international economic opportunities like this one
are so successful. I look forward to seeing Marshall grow in Canada.”
British High Commissioner to Canada Susannah Goshko commented: “I welcome Marshall’s decision to expand its Aerospace operations in Canada. As a company with British roots and a thriving Canadian operation, the Marshall Group is a great example of the strong and productive business
and defence ties between our two countries.” Today’s announcement comes just a few weeks after Marshall announced plans for a new US
maintenance and engineering facility in Greensboro, North Carolina, underpinning the company’s growth strategy in North America.
MARITIME
01 Jun 23. Fincantieri Will Build the Third NFS Submarine for the Italian Navy. The construction of the third new generation submarine related to the U212NFS (Near Future Submarine) program for the Italian Navy and assigned to Fincantieri has received parliamentary approval and will now follow the standard administrative procedure.
The programme, which includes two vessels contracted in 2021, as well as the creation of a Training Center, is led by OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement, the international organization for joint armament cooperation).
Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri, commented: “Within the NFS program, we are both design authority and prime contractor. The prosecution of the program acknowledges Fincantieri’s technological and managerial leadership, in full continuity with the pillars set out in our business plan. The submarine is a unique strategic and industrial asset, combining shipbuilding and its highest standards with the underwater, a sector in which crucial games will be played also thanks to our vision of the future.”
The first two vessels will be delivered in 2027 and 2029, with the steel cutting of the second unit scheduled for June 6th.
The U212NFS submarines will be highly innovative, with significant design modifications which will all be developed independently by Fincantieri in accordance with the requirements of the Navy. The program responds to the need to secure adequate underwater spatial surveillance and control capacity, considering the future complex scenarios of underwater operations and that the operational lifetime of the four “Sauro” class submarines, currently in service, is drawing near.
“It also aims at upholding and further developing Fincantieri’s acquired strategic and innovative industrial know-how, as well as consolidating the technological lead attained by the company and its supply chain, major industries, and small and medium-sized enterprises of the sector, enhancing the presence on board of technologically advanced component parts developed by Italian industries.
The submarines carry out many different tasks for the benefit of the community on a daily basis, preserving national interests and collective defense within the framework of the most important alliances in which the Italy participates, NATO and the EU. They range from purely military missions to operations pertaining to freedom of navigation, anti-piracy, keeping the energy supply routes safe (due to the presence of seabed resources or underwater infrastructure), observance of international law, fighting terrorism, defending external borders, and safeguarding maritime infrastructure, including essential offshore and underwater infrastructure, not least preserving marine ecosystems.
Fincantieri is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, the only one active in all high-tech marine industry sectors. It is leader in the construction and transformation of cruise, naval and oil & gas and wind offshore vessels, as well as in the production of systems and component equipment, after-sales services and marine interiors solutions. With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, Fincantieri maintains its know-how, expertise and management centres in Italy, here employing 10,000 workers and creating around 90,000 jobs, which double worldwide thanks to a production network of 18 shipyards operating in four continents and with almost 21,000 employees.
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Fincantieri)
01 Jun 23. Thales and Team Vigilance Launch the Royal Canadian Navy’s Next-Gen OPV. Thales today announced at CANSEC 2023 – alongside its Team Vigilance partners – that it will provide Combat Systems Integration (CSI) and Electronic Systems Integration (ESI) for the Vigilance Class OPV to modernize the Royal Canadian Navy’s future fleet and ensure paramount performance for meaningful missions at home and abroad.
In addition to Thales’ world-class electronic and combat systems integration capabilities, Thales Canada brings more than fifty years of experience supporting the RCN’s fleets and another thirteen years as a vital Tier-1 supplier under Canada’s NSS to Team Vigilance, adding to an already impressive combination of industrial leadership and Canadian know-how.
“It’s energizing to envision what Canada’s sailors and the RCN could gain from a paradigm shift in mid-sized OPVs: fewer crew needs through digitization and uncrewed systems; mission adaptability via modern sensor-suites; and future-proofing by way of artificial intelligence, connectivity, big data and IoT technologies. All this in a fully integrated, compact and versatile vessel – the outcome of a deep commitment among Team Vigilance partners to both Canada and to collaboration.” Chris Pogue, CEO, Thales Canada
Collectively, Team Vigilance has both the capabilities and experience to meet the needs of the most demanding naval operators, whether it is in ship design, Canadian and global shipbuilding, the integration of combat and offboard systems, modular payload systems, or life-cycle solutions that are both sustainable and eco-conscious. And, together, Team Vigilance can deliver to Canada a new class of multi-mission OPVs with the capabilities to fulfil any mission assigned to it at home or abroad. (Source: ASD Network)
30 May 23. Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Hands Over Second Frigate for Egyptian Navy. On May 26th, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems handed over a frigate to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. It is the second in a series of four MEKO A-200 EN frigates. The ceremony in Bremerhaven, which was attended by high-ranking Egyptian and German Navy officials, also included the naming of the vessel. The Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy, Vice Admiral Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa, named the ship “AL-QAHHAR”, meaning “The Irresistible Subduer”.
“This project is considered a role model for many countries in the field of joint military industrialization,” stated Vice Admiral Atwa. “Today, with the delivery of the ‘AL-QAHHAR’ frigate, our project has reached its midway.”
“With today’s handover ceremony, we add a further highlight to the excellent relationship between the Egyptian Navy and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems,” said Paul Glaser, CFO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. “The ongoing cooperation on naval surface vessels and submarines is one of the cornerstones of the long-term partnership between our two countries. The first-of-class ship ‘AL-AZIZ’ is already in service and has since proven its technical capabilities and reliability, and its sister ship ‘AL-QAHHAR’ will be just as successful.”
In its class, the MEKO A-200 EN is one of the most powerful warships in service today. The next-generation vessels are more than 121 metres long, 16 metres wide and have a maximum speed of more than 29 knots. Featuring a stealthy design, the frigates are dedicated to taking on the role of the new central combat platform of the Egyptian Navy. Each ship will possess an extensive range of both defensive and offensive capabilities.
In total, the Arab Republic of Egypt ordered four structurally identical vessels, with the first three units being produced in Germany and the fourth vessel being built by Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt. The building contract was signed in September 2018. Construction work on “AL-QAHHAR” started in December 2019, with keel laying in March 2020 and launching in August 2021. She will start the journey to her homeport in Alexandria in a few days. The next milestone in this project will be the handover of the third vessel of the series, “ALQADEER”, later this year. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ ThyssenKrupp)
30 May 23. HMS Dauntless deployed to Caribbean after power improvements.
The UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer has been deployed to the Caribbean for a range of duties after its extensive engine improvements.
The UK Royal Navy has deployed HMS Dauntless (D33) to the Carribbean after lengthy developments to the vessel’s power and propulsion systems.
Now that the type 45 destroyer has received three new engines and sophisticated power generation changes – and following intensive trials around the south coast of England – the vessel has been deployed to the Caribbean to resume its duties.
The technical advancement provided under the Programme (PIP) since September last year addressed the resilience of D33’s engines and the power generation that drives her advanced sensor suite, weapons and systems.
HMS Dauntless is the second ship of the Daring class. Together, the UK Royal Navy’s six type 45 destroyers are among the most advanced warships.
BAE Systems, the contractor fulfilling the PIP, stated at the outset of the project in 2021 that “[they] can confirm that all six type 45 ships will have undergone the PIP upgrade by the mid-2020s.
“We must however stress that the programme is dependent on the availability of ships to undertake the upgrade, balanced against the Royal Navy’s standing and future operational commitments.”
Caribbean engagements
The ship will remain in the Caribbean to respond to natural disasters during the region’s hurricane season from June to November. D33 will visit island communities as a reassuring presence as the crew works with local services and authorities to ensure the most rapid and effective aid is provided should nature strike. Dauntless will also patrol the Caribbean to counter illicit activities, in particular working with US Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies against drug trafficking. (Source: naval-technology.com)
26 May 23. Malaysian navy to take delivery of additional fast interceptor craft. The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) will start taking deliveries of a second batch of 18 m fast interceptor craft (FIC) from local firm Gading Marine later in 2023, the company told Janes at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023 in Malaysia, held from 23 to 27 May. In April 2021 Gading Marine completed deliveries to the RMN of an initial batch of six FICs – known as G2000 Mk I vessels – under a USD19.5 m contract signed in 2020. In 2022 Gading Marine signed a follow-on contract with the RMN for 13 additional FICs. The value of the second-batch contract has not been disclosed. (Source: Janes)
26 May 23. George Washington aircraft carrier redelivered after six years. George Washington’s de-fuelling and refuelling of its nuclear power generators, along with maintenance and upgrades, are complete.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) reported on 25 May that its Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division has successfully redelivered the USS George Washington (CVN 73), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to the US Navy. Following its refuelling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at NNS, the ship underwent successful sea trials to test its systems.
Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, which are the largest warships in the world, are designed to support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat, and ashore targets.
The George Washington, along with its strike group, engages in maritime security operations aimed at intercepting potential threats to merchant shipping and thwarting the use of the seas for terrorist activities and piracy. Aircraft carriers also possess distinctive capabilities that are essential for disaster response and humanitarian aid.
Since 2017 the George Washington, first commissioned in 1992, has been in a ROCH that lasted for six years until this month. Initially intended to be a four year process, difficulties in operation arising from the global pandemic led to a delay until early 2023.
During sea trials, a team of sailors, shipbuilders, and government representatives conducted a series of tests on the ship to demonstrate its capabilities at sea and prove its system performance, including high-speed operations.
According to Todd West, “George Washington has gone through a transformation and now returns to the fleet as a fully recapitalised ship, ready to support any mission and serve our nation for another 25 years.”
Throughout the lifespan of a ship, a vessel will undergo only one RCOH with updates to all areas and systems on board, and it accounts for a significant 35% of all maintenance and modernisation efforts during an aircraft carrier’s service.
The tanks, hull, shafting, propellers, rudders, piping, ventilation, electrical, combat and aviation support systems underwent repairs, upgrades and modernisation. In addition to these changes, the ship will also saw the de-fuelling and refuelling of its two nuclear reactors, along with various repairs, maintenance, and upgrades to its propulsion plant. (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
27 May 23. Rolls Royce says no decisions yet about workforce change after report of cuts. British engine maker Rolls-Royce (RR.L) has made no decisions regarding changes to its workforce, a company spokesperson said on Saturday, after a Sunday Times report said the company was expected to cut about 3,000 non-manufacturing staff.
The Sunday Times report added that chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic has hired consultants led by McKinsey to advise on streamlining the company.
The report also said part of the programme would involve merging non-manufacturing departments in each of Rolls’s civil aerospace, defence and power systems divisions.
“We have made no decisions whatsoever on any potential impact on employees and any suggestion otherwise is pure speculation,” a spokesperson told Reuters in an email.
Tufan Erginbilgic, who took over as Rolls-Royce chief executive in January, has said Rolls-Royce, which provides engines for Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 planes, is a “burning platform” which needs to improve its cash generation, cut debt and invest for the future.
A strategic review of the company was launched by Erginbilgic and is due to report in the second half of 2023. (Source: Reuters)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
31 May 23. USAF Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Brown is currently serving as chief of staff, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
31 May 23. USMC Gen. Eric M. Smith for appointment to the grade of general, and assignment as commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington D.C. Smith is currently serving as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
31 May 23. USAF LG Gregory M. Guillot for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commander, U.S. Northern Command; and commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Guillot is currently serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Central Command, MacDill USAF Base, Florida.
31 May 23. USAF LG Timothy D. Haugh for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as director, National Security Agency; chief, Central Security Service; and commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Haugh is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
31 May 23. USAF LG Jeffrey A. Kruse for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Kruse is currently serving as the director’s advisor for military affairs, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, McLean, Virginia.
31 May 23. USAF LG Donna D. Shipton for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commander, USAF Life Cycle Management Center, USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio. Shipton is currently serving as military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the USAF (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
31 May 23. USAF MG Heath A. Collins for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Missile Defense Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Collins is currently serving as the program executive officer, Ground-Based Weapons Systems, Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
31 May 23. USAF MG Michael G. Koscheski for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Koscheski is currently serving as commander, Fifteenth USAF, Shaw USAF Base, South Carolina.
31 May 23. Today, the Global Tech Security Commission (GTSC) announced the addition of Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster (U.S. Army ret.), the 26th U.S. National Security Advisor, and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), a distinguished member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Global Tech Security Commission. Lieut. Gen. McMaster and Representative Torres join an esteemed group of 11 other bipartisan lawmakers and national security experts as Honorary Co-Chairs in guiding the Commission’s vital work of crafting the definitive Global Tech Security Strategy. The Commission comprises an international network of 15 country commissioners, 12 tech sector commissioners and more than 20 strategy commissioners, who each lead expert advisory councils. By integrating both offensive and defensive strategies and fostering the Global Tech Trust Network, the Commission aims to advance freedom through the accelerated adoption and innovation of trusted technology. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
30 May 23. Australian Defence Strategic Review External Advisory Panel appointed. Former Department of defence Secretary Dennis Richardson is one of three members of the newly appointed DSR External Advisory panel. Image: Defence. The Australian Government will establish an External Advisory Panel to oversee the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) recommendations. Former Secretary of the Department of Defence, Mr Dennis Richardson AC, former Secretary of the Department of Finance, Ms Rosemary Huxtable PSM, and former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Richard Maude have been appointed to the Panel. The Defence Strategic Review and the Government’s response will inform all aspects of Australia’s defence policy, planning and resourcing over the coming decades. The DSR recommended a three-tier system be adopted to oversee and lead the implementation of the Review’s recommendations. The External Advisory Panel will provide an independent assessment of Defence’s progress, in accordance with Government direction and the intent of the recommendations. It will report biannually to Government. The Panel will be co-chaired by the DSR Independent Leads His Excellency the Hon Stephen Smith and Sir Angus Houston AK AFC. (Source: Rumour Control)
01 Jun 23. General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, has announced the second Lieutenant-General/Vice-Admiral promotion of 2023.. Major-General B.F. Frawley was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General and will be appointed Deputy Commander North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in Colorado Springs, Colorado, replacing Lieutenant-General A.J.P. Pelletier who will retire from the Canadian Armed Forces. NORAD is a bi-national military command responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for Canada and the United States. It is the cornerstone of Canada’s defence relationship with the United States and provides both countries with greater continental security than could be achieved individually. The NORAD Deputy Commander supports the NORAD Commander in the execution of the command’s missions. As a bi-national command, the NORAD Deputy Commander’s position is approved by both Canada and the United States. (Source: Google/https://skiesmag.com/)
INDUSTRY
01 Jun 23. Australian Defence industry professionals list most attractive primes for employment. Defence industry professionals have outlined their preferred primes for employment in Defence Connect’s inaugural Australian Defence Industry Report. Defence Connect released findings from its inaugural Defence Connect Australian Defence Industry Report this week, capturing insights from defence industry professionals into the experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of working with the industry’s prime contractors. Defence Connect can now reveal the top 20 prime contractors ranked by employment attractiveness among industry professionals, with survey respondents asked the question, “If you ever decide to work at a prime, which primes would you most likely consider?”
Survey results have found that BAE Systems Australia and Boeing Defence Australia were ranked as the most attractive employers in the industry, with 28 per cent and 26 per cent of survey respondents, respectively, indicating their willingness to find work with the two prime contractors.
According to the survey, the top 20 defence contractors by attractiveness for industry professionals for employment are as follows:
- BAE Systems Australia – 28 per cent
- Boeing Defence Australia – 26 per cent
- Lockheed Martin Australia – 23 per cent
- Thales Australia Limited – 20 per cent
- Raytheon Technologies – 17 per cent
- Northrop Grumman Australia – 14 per cent
- SAAB Australia – 13 per cent
- Rheinmetall Defence Australia – 12 per cent
- Airbus Australia Pacific – 11 per cent
- Nova Systems – 10 per cent
- Hanwha Defense Australia – 9 per cent
- L3Harris Technologies – 8 per cent
- Babcock Australasia – 8 per cent
- QinetiQ Australia – 8 per cent
- NIOA Australia – 7 per cent
- ASC – 7 per cent
- EOS Australia – 5 per cent
- Leidos Australia – 5 per cent
- Austal Limited – 5 per cent
- KBR (Kellogg Brown & Root) – 4 per cent
The statistics have been released following recommendations within the Defence Strategic Review to find solutions to workforce challenges within the Australian industrial base.
“Workforce challenges within the defence industry are not new, but innovative and disruptive technologies are driving competition to attract skilled workers at increasingly higher rates,” Defence Connect editor Liam Garman wrote.
“These statistics provide a glimpse into those companies that have stood out in the minds of jobseekers for their next role.”
Conducted between the 21st of September and the 11th of November 2022, the report measured core attributes across invoice settlement, collaboration, communication and project management, global supply chain opportunities, knowledge transfer and transparency.
The survey used a sample of 870 active defence industry participants to deliver a margin of error of +/–3.32 per cent.
Of those, 57 per cent of responses came from small-to-medium sized businesses operating within the defence industry, with 19 per cent of respondents from businesses with 1 to 10 employees.
To learn more about the report, please contact director at Momentum Intelligence Michael Johnson on .
(Source: Defence Connect)
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
01 Jun 23. AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE: AME) today announced that its Board of Directors has elected two new Vice Presidents. Frank Donnelly and John Hoffman III have been promoted to the positions of Vice President, Group Controller and Vice President, Audit Services, respectively, effective July 1, 2023. Frank Donnelly – Vice President, Group ControllerFrank Donnelly, in his new role as Vice President, Group Controller, will oversee finance and accounting related matters for AMETEK’s Process and Analytical Instruments and Measurement, Communications and Testing divisions within AMETEK’s Electronic Instruments Group. Frank has been an integral part of AMETEK for over three decades, providing financial leadership most recently as the Division Vice President, Finance for the Process and Analytical Instruments division. Mr. Donnelly will work closely with divisional finance leaders, lead acquisition finance due diligence efforts, and liaise with the Corporate Comptroller on the consistent application of corporate financial processes. Prior to his role in the Process and Analytical Instruments division, Frank held leadership positions in finance with AMETEK’s U.S. Gauge business. Mr. Donnelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration from St. Joseph’s University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.John Hoffman III – Vice President, Audit ServicesIn his new role as Vice President, Audit Services, John Hoffman III will assume responsibility for overseeing all audit-related activities within AMETEK. With a distinguished career and a wealth of financial and audit l (Source: PR Newswire)
30 May 23. Chris Boynton Named Battelle Chief Financial Officer. Battelle President and CEO Lou Von Thaer recently announced the appointment of Chris Boynton as Battelle’s next Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer following an extensive, nationwide search. Boynton joins Battelle after working 20 years at Raytheon Technologies (RTX) where he served as CFO of the company’s $15 bn Missiles and Defense business, a 29,000-employee business segment in the corporation. Previously, Boynton served in a number of capacities at Raytheon Technologies, including Vice President for Raytheon’s Enterprise Services organization and Senior Director of Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
25 May 23. CDA’s Lisa Ellman joins FAA’s C-UAS ARC – heads up eco system and public interest group. The US Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has announced that Executive Director Lisa Ellman has joined the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Detection and Mitigation Systems Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). Ellman will represent the CDA and assist the ARC in providing recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on how to integrate counter-UAS (CUAS) systems across the U.S. while preserving the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS). Ellman will co-lead the ARC’s Working Group I, “Wider Ecosystem and Public Interests,” which will explore societal interests in expanding integration of CUAS systems.
31 May 23. MISI, an organization driving discovery, education, collaboration, and scientific innovation in cybersecurity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gregg Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Smith will guide MISI through a new chapter of amassing industry and academic engagement, innovating more technology to address the evolving cyber threat landscape, and fostering a home base for collaboration across U.S. Cyber Command and U.S. government. MISI’s Cyber Mission Accelerators®, DreamPort and Mindscape, are cybersecurity innovation and prototyping facilities serving the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). Through these facilities, MISI supports joint activities with small business firms and higher education institutions to create new cybersecurity solutions for specific challenge problems. MISI is actively seeking participation from small businesses to identify solutions, enable the future cyber workforce, and break down silos to improve government cybersecurity. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Jun 23. Red Cell Partners (Red Cell), an incubation firm building technology-centered companies that are bringing revolutionary advancements to market in national security and healthcare, today announced that Vice Admiral (Retired) Raquel “Rocky” C. Bono, MD, MBA, FACS, has joined as a Senior Advisor. Bono, who made history as the Navy’s first female medical officer to achieve the rank of three-star admiral, will also bring her decades of expertise to the Board of Red Cell portfolio company, TARA Mind. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
26 May 23. TransDigm Announces Retirement of COO Jorge L. Valladares III and New Senior Management Appointments. TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE: TDG) (“the Company”) announced today the upcoming retirement of Chief Operating Officer Jorge L. Valladares III, the appointment of Mr. Valladares to the Company’s Board of Directors, the appointment of Mike Lisman and Joel Reiss as Co-Chief Operating Officers, and the appointment of Sarah Wynne as Chief Financial Officer.
Retirement of Chief Operating Officer Jorge L. Valladares III
Mr. Valladares will retire at the end of the TransDigm’s 2023 fiscal year and has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer for the past four years. Mr. Valladares’ prior roles include co-COO, Executive Vice President, and President of three TransDigm operating units. Mr. Valladares will aid in the transition of his role to Mike and Joel until his retirement date. He has also joined the Company’s Board of Directors, effective as of today.
Mr. Stein, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “During Jorge’s recent tenure as COO and across more than 25 years at the Company, he has been an integral part of the long-term value creation at TransDigm and a key player in the cultural preservation of the Company. Jorge has done a truly outstanding job, and we sincerely thank him for his dedication. We look forward to having Jorge continue to contribute to the growth of TransDigm as a member of the Company’s Board.”
Appointment of Mike Lisman and Joel Reiss as Co-Chief Operating Officers
Mr. Lisman, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Reiss, an Executive Vice President of the Company, have now assumed the roles of co-COOs.
Mr. Lisman has served as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer for the past five years. Prior to becoming CFO, he worked at AeroFluid Products (a TransDigm operating unit) and on the Mergers & Acquisitions team at TransDigm. Before joining the Company, Mike worked at Warburg Pincus.
Mr. Reiss is a long-time employee of TransDigm, having joined the Company in 2000. He has been an Executive Vice President for the last eight years. Prior to that, Mr. Reiss served as President of Hartwell Corporation and President of Skurka Aerospace, both of which are operating units of TransDigm. Before becoming an operating unit President, Mr. Reiss was the Director of Operations at TransDigm’s Adams Rite Aerospace operating unit.
Appointment of Sarah Wynne as Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Wynne has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer, after having served as TransDigm’s Chief Accounting Officer for the past five years. She brings strong experience in operational and GAAP accounting to her new assignment and has been with TransDigm for 20 years.
Before becoming the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, she served as a Group Controller overseeing the financial reporting of several operating units. Prior to that, Ms. Wynne served as a Controller at the Company’s AeroFluid Products operating unit and held various accounting positions in TransDigm’s corporate office.
Mr. Stein, stated, “Sarah, Mike and Joel bring a unique mix of experience in a broad range of aerospace businesses to their new roles. They are experienced senior executives with proven track records. We are very excited to be able to promote internally-developed, long-term employees to each of these roles to continue to perpetuate our unique culture. I’m confident that they will continue to create the kind of value that has been the long-term hallmark of TransDigm.” (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
30 May 23. Crystal Group, Inc., the most trusted designer and manufacturer of rugged high-performance compute solutions, announced today that Aaron Maue has been selected as its new President, effective June 5, 2023. During his 29-year career at Rockwell Collins and Collins Aerospace, Maue has held several executive leadership positions, most recently as Executive Director of Advanced Structures Aftermarket. Throughout his tenure at Collins Aerospace, Maue has led large and diverse teams across a broad spectrum of business disciplines, often in different geographies. Maue established himself as the personal contact, not only for internal customers, but also for external clients. His well-rounded experience and relatable leadership style make him an ideal fit for Crystal Group’s employee owners, and its customers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
31 May 23. KBR has announced that Nic Maan will take up the role of vice-president (VP) for its government solutions APAC business after its current VP, Rob Hawketts, took the decision to retire effective 31 July 2023. Nic Maan will assume the role of vice-president for government solutions APAC from 1 June 2023. This will afford time for an effective transition, working to engage KBR’s people, customers and stakeholders. An experienced engineer and program manager, Maan joined KBR in 2022. He has held senior executive roles across defence, including aerospace, satellite communications, secure communications, and space. Hawketts has been with the company for 24 years in total and has served as vice-president since 2015. During his tenure, Hawketts has achieved significant business growth and success for the company. (Source: Defence Connect)