New Orleans, LA – September 13, 2010 — Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today named Ray Pilcher as vice president, Marine Systems. Pilcher will report to Tom Walmsley, Textron Marine & Land Systems’ senior vice president and general manager. Based in Washington, D.C., he will lead the Marine Systems business, which developed and manufactured the U.S. Navy’s Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) — the cornerstone of the U.S. amphibious program for more than 20 years — as well as the U.S. Coast Guard’s rugged and highly survivable Motor Lifeboat. The Marine Systems business is actively competing for the Navy’s Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) program along with partner L-3 Communications.
Prior to joining Textron Marine & Land Systems, Pilcher held numerous leadership positions; most recently, advising Defense companies on their growth plans and capture management strategies. Between 2002 and 2008, he was a senior business development and capture management executive at Alliant Techsystems including an assignment as vice president and head of ATK’s Washington Operations Business Development organization. From 1999 to 2002, Pilcher was deputy program manager of Raytheon’s successful DD 21/DD(X) team.
Pilcher spent the previous 26 years in the U.S. Navy attaining the rank of Captain. During his military career, he commanded two warships and served as Air Defense Commander for a Navy carrier strike group. Pilcher also served in Washington, D.C. in several capacities. He was the head of Land Attack Warfare for the Surface Warfare Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; deputy for Senate Liaison, Secretary of the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs; coordinator for the U.S. Department of Defense Bottom-Up Review; and senior Navy budget analyst while in the J-8 organization of the Joint Staff.
“We are adding a great leader in Ray to our Marine Systems business, which led the way on the Navy’s LCAC and is ready to do the same for the SSC,” stated Walmsley. “Ray has successfully managed major acquisition programs both as a Navy officer and as a business leader by building teams focused on the mission at hand. We look forward to Ray continuing his successful track record here.”
Pilcher holds a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida as well as a master of science degree in Systems Technology from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is also a graduate of the National War College in Washington, D.C.
About Textron Marine & Land Systems
Textron Marine & Land Systems specializes in the design, production and support of advanced marine craft, armored combat vehicles, turrets and related subsystems. Through its MillenWorks strategic business, Textron Marine & Land Systems designs and develops advanced mobility solutions for demanding on- and off-road applications. Textron Marine & Land Systems serves military and commercial customers domestically and internationally, and is an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company. More information is available at www.textronmarineandland.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
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, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.