Textron Elects Deborah Lee James to Board of Directors
PROVIDENCE, R.I.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) announced that Deborah Lee James has been
elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2017.
James recently retired as the 23rd Secretary of the United States Air
Force, a position she had held since 2013. Ms. James has 30 years of
homeland and national security experience in the federal government and
the private sector.
“We are extremely fortunate and honored to welcome the Honorable Deborah
James to our Board,” said Textron Chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly.
“Deborah’s deep expertise in national security, government procurement,
strategic planning, cybersecurity, logistics and innovation, garnered
from her leadership positions at the U.S. Air Force and private
industry, will greatly benefit Textron,” Donnelly added.
As Secretary of the Air Force, Ms. James oversaw the Air Force’s annual
budget of more than $139 billion. She led the Air Force in reaching key
milestones in the next generation fighter (F-35) program and the
refueling aircraft program (KC-46), as well as in launching important
modernization programs, including a new combat rescue helicopter,
long-range strategic bomber and trainer aircraft. She also ordered the
development of a comprehensive cyber campaign plan and directed the
overhaul of the Air Force’s logistics organization and processes.
Prior to her role as Secretary of the Air Force, James held various
executive positions during an 11-year tenure at SAIC, Inc., a provider
of services and solutions in the areas of defense, health, energy,
infrastructure, ISR and cybersecurity to agencies of the U.S. Department
of Defense (DoD), the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security (DHS), foreign governments and other customers. She
most recently served as Sector President, Technical and Engineering of
SAIC’s Government Solutions Group, a position she held from February
through December of 2013.
James joined SAIC in 2002 as the Director of Homeland Security within
SAIC, then in 2005 became Business Unit General Manager of the Command,
Control, Communications, Computers, and Information Technology business
unit. In 2010, she became SAIC’s Executive Vice President for
Communications and Government Affairs.
Earlier in her career, James served as Professional Staff Member for the
House Armed Services Committee and as the DoD Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Reserve Affairs.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Masters of
International Affairs from Columbia University, along with honorary
doctorates from Duke University, The Citadel and the College of
Charleston.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global
network of aircraft, defense, 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, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO,
Greenlee, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU
Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com
Textron Inc.
Investor Contacts:
Eric Salander,
401-457-2288
D’Ante Natili, 401-457-2288
Media Contact:
David
Sylvestre, 401-457-2362