SOURCE: EADS North America

October 15, 2008 12:10 ET

EADS North America Strengthens Its Program Management and Business Development Team Through Key Executive Appointments

Randy Hutcherson Is Named Vice President Program Manager for EADS North America Tankers, David D. Haines Becomes Vice President of Rotorcraft Programs, and Stephen D. Mundt Is Appointed Vice President for Business Development and Strategic Planning for EADS North America

ARLINGTON, VA--(Marketwire - October 15, 2008) - EADS North America has made three key appointments to further strengthen its program management and business development team for U.S. Army and Air Force programs.

Randy Hutcherson has been appointed Vice President Program Manager for EADS North America Tankers, which is the EADS North America business unit tasked with primary subcontractor responsibility in support of the Northrop Grumman KC-45A Tanker for the U.S. Air Force KC-135 replacement.

Hutcherson previously was the EADS North America Vice President for Rotorcraft Programs, leading the company's successful bid for the U.S. Army's UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter, as well as its rapid introduction into active service with the Army and National Guard.

"Randy Hutcherson has the proven expertise to lead our capture effort and to manage EADS North America's significant work-share for what will be among the largest Defense Department acquisitions of this century," said EADS North America Chairman and CEO Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. "He brings a combination of leadership ability and experience in U.S. military weapons systems management -- which was demonstrated by his highly successful leadership of our UH-72A program."

Prior to joining EADS North America in 2004, Hutcherson was Director of Government Affairs for Textron, working in the company's Washington, D.C. office. During his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Hutcherson held various squadron-level and higher headquarters positions in operations, maintenance and logistics culminating with command of a Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopter Squadron. He also had assignments in Navy squadrons as an instructor and an operational test pilot, as well as an assignment to the Joint Staff.

Hutcherson is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering. He also has a Master of Science degree in systems management from Alabama's Troy State University, as well as a Master of Science degree in national security strategies from the National Defense University.

As a result of Hutcherson's new assignment, David D. Haines has been appointed as Vice President of EADS North America's Rotorcraft line of business. In addition to his more than 28 years of aerospace industry experience, Haines is a retired U.S. Naval Reserve Captain, and was a qualified Naval aviator on rotary-wing aircraft. Haines comes to EADS North America from MD Helicopters, where he was the Vice President of Customer Support.

Previously, Haines spent 18 years at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, where he held positions that included Program Manager for the H-53 and CH-53K helicopters, Director of Market Strategy and Product Planning, Director of International Programs - Maritime, MH-60S Helicopter Program Manager, and Government Business Manager.

"David Haines' knowledge of U.S. military helicopter program management will be highly valuable as we continue to ramp up UH-72A production and deliveries, add new customers and provide long-term support for this new important Army aviation asset," said EADS North America's Chief Operating Officer David Oliver.

Haines holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science degree in Management from the Hartford Graduate Center, and an Executive MBA degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is also a graduate of the Executive Program of the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

In another key appointment, Brigadier General Stephen D. Mundt (U.S. Army, ret.) has joined EADS North America as a Vice President for Business Development and Strategic Planning. Before joining EADS North America, he was Director of the Army Aviation Task Force prior to retiring from a 30-plus-year career in military service with the U.S. Army.

Mundt's assignments during his military career included Commander, 17th Aviation Brigade, Eighth United States Army, Korea; Aviation Division Chief, and Director of Materiel, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Infantry Division, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army for Operation Iraqi Freedom; and Deputy Director of Force Developments, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff.

"Stephen Mundt's knowledge of aviation operations and program management will significantly help us as we continue to expand and evolve our presence in the U.S.," Oliver said.

Mundt is a graduate of the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He also has a MBA in Personnel Management/Administration from Alabama's Troy State University, as well as a Master of Science degree in national security strategies from National Defense University.

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $10 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 190,000 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.