Former President Of Textron Systems
There's a new man at the top for
Bell Helicopter, as parent company Textron announced Thursday
Richard J. Millman has been named president and CEO of the
helicopter manufacturer. Millman replaces Michael Redenbaugh, who
resigned from the company.
"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.
Textron representatives describe Millman as a seasoned 20-year
veteran of the company, and 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."
Frank Tempesta has been named president of Textron Systems,
succeeding Millman.
Bell Helicopter is an industry-leading producer of commercial
and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the
pioneer of the revolutionary tiltrotor 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.