Industry Veteran To Lead The Company's Expanded Initiative
EADS North America announced Thursday that it has further
integrated and expanded the company's Space and related product
activities in the U.S., supporting government agencies, private
sector customers and academia. The line of business (LOB) will be
led by John Schumacher, who will serve as Vice President, Space
line of business.
"John Schumacher brings decades of demonstrated leadership in
developing and growing world-class cooperative programs in
Space-based research, exploration, human Space flight, and
communications, as well as formulating government policy related to
this key area of aerospace and defense," said Sean O'Keefe, CEO of
EADS North America. "John will take the lead in expanding EADS'
U.S. presence and in leveraging the company's broad Space product
and technology offerings to meet the needs of our U.S.
customers."
The U.S. line of business will draw on ASTRIUM, EADS' Space
division, and its vast capabilities, products and services. ASTRIUM
is one of the world's largest Space providers, supporting globally
recognized customers and projects including Ariane, the Automated
Transfer Vehicle and the Columbus modules of the International
Space Station, Envisat, Helios, the French deterrence force and
Skynet 5.
Prior to joining EADS North America, Mr. Schumacher was the Vice
President of Washington Operations for Aerojet General Corporation,
responsible for leading and expanding Aerojet's activities with the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other U.S.
government, civilian and military customers.
Mr. Schumacher spent nearly 25 years in government service. He
was Chief of Staff at NASA during a fundamental redirection of
America's Space program and the agency's return to human Space
flight following the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. He
previously served as NASA's Associate Administrator for External
Relations, where he led the agency's efforts to expand cooperative
programs in science, technology and human Space flight with
partners across the globe.
Additionally, EADS North America has named Dr. Reinhold Lutz as
special advisor to support the Space LOB's marketing, business
development and product introduction efforts. "I also am very
pleased to welcome Reinhold Lutz to the EADS North America team.
His background in Space-related engineering, business and strategy
will be critical in advancing our business goals here in the U.S.
market," said Sean O'Keefe.
Dr. Lutz served as ASTRIUM's head of corporate executive
strategy and business development, as well as managing director of
ASTRIUM GmbH in Ottobrunn, Germany. In this position he had
oversight of all business operations while leading a staff of more
than 800 employees. He holds a Doctorate from the University of the
German Armed Forces in Munich. He has been published numerous times
on the topics of Space-borne imaging instruments and the general
theory of oscillators and active filters, and holds patents for
Space-borne optoelectronic instruments.
Corinne Kaplan, who previously served as the Vice President for
Space, has assumed new responsibilities as Vice President,
Affiliate Trade and Export Compliance. Ms. Kaplan developed and led
the company's U.S. Space activities beginning in 2003, including
building the EADS North America team and capturing the company's
first federal contracts in the Space market, while also performing
responsibilities in operational support and export control. In her
new role Ms. Kaplan will manage EADS North America's domestic and
international affiliate business units in addressing U.S. export
laws and regulations.
"Corinne has been instrumental in establishing our U.S. Space
footprint and in building recognition of our products and
technologies with key customers," said Sean O'Keefe. "Her expertise
in export control and ITAR regulations will be essential in
achieving further growth."
Ms. Kaplan has more than 25 years of technical and management
experience in Space and defense, including strategic development,
program management, product marketing and transatlantic
cooperation, having held positions in both Europe and in the
US.