HERNDON, Va., Jan. 10, 2012 — EADS North America Chief Executive Officer Sean O’Keefe has been appointed Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, replacing Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., who has retired. O’Keefe has been serving jointly as Chairman and CEO since Jan. 1.
“EADS North America just concluded a remarkable year in 2011, having successfully expanded our product portfolio in the U.S., increased the company’s recognition with our federal and military customers, and extended our record of within budget and on time deliveries of the UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter to our U.S. military customers,” O’Keefe said. “Ralph Crosby’s leadership over the last nine years was foundational to these successes. We wish him and his family the very best and extend our thanks for his significant contributions to our company, our industry and the nation’s security.”
“As we make this important leadership change, I look forward to 2012 and another year of exciting growth and expansion for EADS in North America,” O’Keefe concluded.
Prior to becoming CEO of EADS North America in November 2009, O’Keefe served as a company officer and Vice President of the General Electric Company in the Technology Infrastructure sector, leading the Washington operations of the GE Aviation business. From 2005 to 2008, he served as Chancellor of the Louisiana State University.
Prior to leading LSU, he served as the tenth Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). O’Keefe joined President George W. Bush’s administration on inauguration day as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget until December 2001, when he was appointed NASA Administrator.
O’Keefe was appointed the 69th Secretary of the Navy by President George H. W. Bush in July 1992. He previously served as Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Defense, from 1989 until his appointment as Navy Secretary. Prior to his Pentagon service, O’Keefe was Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.
ABOUT EADS NORTH AMERICA (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)
EADS North America is the North American operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $11 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 200,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. Operating in 17 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.
ABOUT EADS (www.eads.com)
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2010, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of O 45.8 billion and employed a workforce of nearly 122,000.
CONTACT
Guy Hicks Office 1-703-466-5734
guy.hicks@eads-na.com Mobile 1-202-256-0769
