BAE Systems on June 22 announced that executive director Walt Havenstein has decided to leave the company. Walt has resigned as a director and chief operating officer for BAE Systems plc and steps down as president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc., with effect from June 26 and will leave the employment of BAE Systems Inc. on September 20.
General Anthony (Tony) Zinni (USMC retired), currently a member of the BAE Systems Inc. board, has been appointed chairman of the BAE Systems Inc. board and, pending appointment of a permanent successor to Walt Havenstein, acting president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc. Zinni will also join the BAE Systems executive committee in his capacity as acting president and CEO of BAE Systems Inc. In addition to his distinguished 39-year military career that culminated in his assignment as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command, Zinni has held several senior corporate executive positions and serves on the boards of directors for several U.S. businesses. He has held numerous diplomatic positions, and serves on various advisory and non-profit groups.
Dick Olver, chairman of BAE Systems, said, “Walt has been a valued member of the board and the executive team. I would like to thank him for his dedication and leadership during his time as an executive director and for his part in the successful execution of BAE Systems’ global strategy and to the growth of the US based business, BAE Systems, Inc. Walt has led a very strong and successful leadership team and the Board wishes him success as he moves on to the next phase of his career.”
BAE Systems, Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of BAE Systems plc.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
