Retired U.S. Army Special Operations General Officer to Manage Expanded Tampa Field Office
Wilmington, Mass. - November 3, 2011 - Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the appointment of James W. Parker as vice president to manage its Tampa, Fla. field office. Parker, a retired U.S. Army major general, has extensive overseas experience in Iraq, across the Middle East, in Central and South America and in the Pacific. He served more than nine years in key global special operations missions at U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM).
The appointment comes at a time during which the company is expanding its Tampa office to better serve USSOCOM and USCENTCOM at nearby MacDill Air Force Base. Textron Systems' Tampa field office, established in 2010, is located in the Lincoln Center at 5401 West Kennedy Boulevard.
"The growing responsibilities of the U.S. Special Operations Command demanded an expansion of Textron Systems' Tampa office. As a result, we are doubling our office space and assigned personnel to better address our nation's defenders in the area," said Senior Vice President Kevin Cosgriff. "As part of our commitment to provide outstanding service and support to key customers in the area, we are very pleased to bring on-board Maj. Gen. (retired) Jim Parker as vice president to lead this office. Jim's credentials and standing are impeccable-he's walked in Special Operations 'shoes' for most of his 38 years of service in the U.S. Army, " he added. During his Army career Parker crafted the operational and training requirements for today's Special Operations forces as the commanding general, JFK Special Warfare Center and School. He also served at USSOCOM as the director of Intelligence and Information Operations before being deployed to Iraq to serve as the deputy commander, Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT). He returned to USSOCOM to serve as the director of operations. Other notable special operations assignments include: combat advisor duties in El Salvador; commander, Special Operations Forces at the battalion and brigade level; commander, Special Operations Command South (SOCSOUTH); and head of operations and deputy commander, USSOCOM.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Wilmington, Mass., the company is 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 and operational services. Textron Systems includes AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Advanced Systems, Aerosonde, ESL Defence, Lycoming Engines, Medical Numerics, MillenWorks, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. 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.
Contact
Sharon Corona
Textron Systems Corporation
(410) 628-3184
scorona@systems.textron.com