Bell Helicopter Taps Snyder to Lead Military Programs

April 15, 2011

Fort Worth, TX - April 15, 2011 - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that Mitch Snyder has been promoted to executive vice president, Military Programs reporting directly to president and CEO, John L. Garrison.  Snyder will be responsible for all activities associated with Bell Helicopter's Military Programs.  He will serve as a member of the Bell Helicopter Executive Leadership Team and becomes a member of Textron's Global Leadership Team.

"Mitch has demonstrated an incredible passion for our business and our customers, realizing many successes since joining Bell Helicopter in 2004," said John L. Garrison, President and CEO.  "Most recently Mitch served as vice president, program manager for the V-22 Program. In a short time, he has driven many improvements in the program.  His efforts in driving the adoption of the V-22 and its tiltrotor technology, along with improving its reliability, are ways we are continuing to strengthen and grow our military business."

Snyder's promotion to executive vice president comes as Robert "Too Tall" Kenney announced earlier this month plans to retire in June. The leadership transition will begin immediately.   "We have a very strong team and a crystallized strategy in place to further grow the military segment for Bell Helicopter due to Too Tall Kenney's leadership.  Our talent development process and succession planning process have yielded the right leader, at the right time in our growth - Mitch Snyder," said Garrison. 

"I am looking forward to stepping into this new role. Too Tall has developed a strong team and I am excited to lead this group," said Mitch Snyder. "Bell Helicopter has an incredible opportunity to demonstrate the capability and growth potential of the V-22 and tiltrotor technology, the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, and the H-1 (Yankee and Zulu) to our government customers as they contemplate new programs to protect the freedom of our nation.  We look forward to delivering mission solutions and innovations that are highly reliable and affordable."

Prior to leading the V-22 team, Snyder led Fort Worth manufacturing centers including production engineering.  Before joining the Integrated Operations team, Mitch was vice president, Government Programs.  Snyder joined Bell after 21 years with Lockheed Martin in Engineering, Business Development, Manufacturing and the F-16 Program Office. 

About Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., is an industry-leading producer of commercial and military, manned and unmanned vertical lift aircraft and the pioneer of the revolutionary tilt rotor 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.

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 Aircraft Company , Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.

Press Contact

Kathy Searle
(817) 280-8245 (office)
(706) 836-3024 (cell)
ksearle@bellhelicopter.textron.com

Bill Schroeder
817-280-7651 (office)
817-600-4209 (mobile)
wschroeder@bellhelicopter.textron.com

Connect with Textron IR

David Rosenberg, Vice President, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288
Kyle Williams, Manager, Investor Relations
(401) 457-2288

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