TXT News Textron Names Richard Millman President & CEO of Bell Helicopter
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) today announced that Richard J. Millman has
been named president and CEO of its Bell Helicopter unit and head of the
company’s Bell segment. He replaces Michael
Redenbaugh, who has resigned from the company. In turn, Frank Tempesta
has been named president of Textron Systems, succeeding Millman.
“With the tremendous growth trajectory
anticipated for Bell Helicopter, we are putting a strong operations
executive in place to ensure we meet the current and future needs of our
customers. There are wonderful growth opportunities ahead, and we are
accelerating our focus on execution to ensure we make the most of them,”
said Textron Chairman, President and CEO Lewis B. Campbell.
Millman, a seasoned, 20-year veteran of Textron, most recently served as
president of Textron Systems – a $1 billion
business unit that produces specialty marine craft, armored vehicles,
advanced weapon and sensor systems, aircraft engines and controls, and
intelligence products for aerospace, defense and homeland security
customers.
“For more than two decades, Dick has been an
outstanding leader at Textron,” Campbell
continued. “His track record of performance –
on both the growth and operations management sides of the equation –
is exemplary. He is an experienced prime contractor to government
customers, successfully producing complex finished products and systems
for aerospace and defense applications.”
Prior to assuming his current position in 1995, Millman served as Textron’s
vice president, office of the chairman, overseeing strategic planning
and operations services and responsible for improving costs and
efficiencies across the corporation. From 1987 to 1994, Millman was
president of HR Textron, a supplier of hydraulic and control systems for
NASA and major aircraft manufacturers. He joined Textron after a 20-year
career at Avco Corporation, acquired by Textron in 1986. Millman holds a
BS degree in electrical engineering from MIT, and a masters degree in
electrical engineering from Columbia University.
Commenting on Redenbaugh’s departure,
Campbell said, “Under Mike’s
leadership, Bell achieved many significant program and product
milestones and reinvigorated its growth prospects. We appreciate Mike’s
efforts and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Tempesta Named President of Textron Systems
Frank Tempesta, who succeeds Millman as president of Textron Systems,
most recently served as executive vice president and chief operating
officer of the business, overseeing day to day operations of Textron
Systems’ six operating units. With this
promotion, Tempesta joins Textron’s
Transformation Leadership Team, comprised of the top operating and
functional leaders of the corporation.
During a career spanning more than 20 years at Textron Systems, Tempesta
has held myriad leadership positions in engineering, product
development, program management and operations. He joined Textron after
a 20-year career at Avco Corporation, acquired by Textron in 1986.
Tempesta also served in the U.S. Army and NASA. He holds both bachelors
and masters degrees in mechanical engineering from Northeastern
University.
“The fact that we have internal executives
ready to step into these two critical roles is testimony to our
leadership bench strength and succession planning process,”
Campbell noted.
About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial and
military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of
the revolutionary tilt rotor aircraft. Globally recognized for
world-class customer service, innovation and superior quality, Bell’s
global workforce serves customers flying Bell aircraft in more than 120
countries.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation (“Textron Systems”)
provides innovative technology solutions to meet the needs of the
defense, homeland security and aerospace communities. The company is
known for its precision smart weapons, surveillance systems, complex
intelligence and communications systems, aircraft controls, piston
engines, specialty marine craft and armored vehicles. Textron Systems is
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Avco Corporation. Avco Corporation is
wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.systems.textron.com.
About Textron
Textron Inc. is a $10 billion multi-industry company operating in 33
countries with approximately 37,000 employees. The company leverages its
global network of aircraft, industrial and finance businesses to provide
customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known
around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna
Aircraft, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO and Greenlee, among others.
More information is available at www.textron.com.
