John P. Jumper To Succeed Walter P. Havenstein At The Defense Consultant

The Board of Directors for Fortune 500 consulting company SAIC have named John P. Jumper to succeed Walter P. Havenstein as chief executive officer on March 1, 2012. Jumper joined SAIC's board as Director in June, 2007. From September 2001 to November 2005, Jumper was the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, serving as the most senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of active-duty, guard, reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.

In announcing the board's actions, A. Thomas Young, chairman of the board, said, "Given SAIC's focus on providing the most advanced technical solutions to war fighters and government and commercial customers, after an exhaustive search of candidates the Board viewed Jumper as uniquely qualified to lead SAIC at this time. His leadership and experience particularly in national security have been invaluable to the Board of Directors these past 5 years. He knows our business and the industry extremely well and we are confident he will continue our 43-year tradition of success, outstanding customer satisfaction and superior performance." 

"I am honored to have been selected to lead SAIC and am keen to face the challenges ahead in our industry," Jumper said. "Also, I am grateful to be given the opportunity to build upon the successes we've achieved under Walt Havenstein's leadership. He's positioned the company to take unique advantage of our strengths. I look forward to leading SAIC as we continue to provide solutions vital to our nation."

Havenstein, who has led the company since September of 2009, announced his retirement in October, 2011. "I am proud to have led such a talented and successful team," said Havenstein. "It has been a great honor to have supported our men and women serving on the front lines around the world in defense of freedom. And it is humbling to be succeeded by such a capable, talented and dedicated leader as John Jumper."

"Walt has taken SAIC to new levels during his tenure," said Young. "Thanks to his leadership, today we're an $11 billion company, with strong positions in our markets and I am optimistic about our future. The Board and I are very grateful to Walt for his acumen, vision and stellar management."

Jumper, who will remain a member of SAIC's Board of Directors, retired from the United States Air Force in 2005 after nearly 40 years of service. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he functioned as a military advisor to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President. Jumper earned his commission in the Air Force as a distinguished graduate of Virginia Military Institute's ROTC program in 1966. He has commanded at all levels, from squadron to numbered Air Force to coalition and Allied Air Forces commands.  A command pilot, Jumper has more than 5000 flying hours, including 1,400 combat flight hours.

He has also served at the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations, as the Senior Military Assistant to two secretaries of defense, and as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Roles and Missions. Jumper holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Virginia Military Institute and a Master of Business Administration degree from Golden Gate University. He is a graduate of both the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College.

FMI: www.saic.com