Robert Strain Appointed To Lead Orbital’s Space Systems Group
Company Veteran to Oversee Completion of Financial Turnaround And To Spearhead Growth Initiatives in Satellite Manufacturing Business
Orbital Sciences Corporation
announced today that Mr. Robert D. Strain has been appointed
Executive Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Space Systems
Group (SSG).
Previously the head of Orbital’s Electronics and Sensor Systems
Group (ESSG) since 1996, Mr. Strain has been with Orbital and a predecessor
company for 12 years, earlier serving in key finance and manufacturing
positions.
The company also announced that Mr. James R. Thompson, Orbital’s President
and Chief Operating Officer, will serve as acting head of ESSG until a
permanent replacement is selected.
In this capacity, he will be assisted by
Mr. Richard W. Sherman, currently Senior Vice President and Deputy General
Manager of ESSG.
“Rob Strain has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and keen
business judgement during his career with Orbital, including running one of
our most profitable business units over the past five years.
I am very
confident that he and his management team at SSG will continue our excellent
track record of satellite product reliability and mission success while also
restoring the group to solid profitability,” said Mr. David W. Thompson,
Orbital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Orbital’s Space Systems Group designs, manufactures and supports the
operation of low-orbit and geosynchronous orbit satellites and related
spacecraft systems.
During the last five years, SSG has successfully
developed, built, tested and deployed 46 satellites; the group currently has
15 additional satellites under design or in production.
SSG also provides
space-related technical services to NASA, the Department of Defense, and other
U.S. Government agencies.
SSG currently employs approximately 1,000 people
and generated revenues of over $200 million in 2000.
Orbital is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of low-cost space
systems, including satellites, launch vehicles and electronics and sensor
systems.
Orbital is also involved with satellite-based networks that provide
wireless data communications and high-resolution Earth imagery to customers
all around the world.
More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com .
CONTACT: Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528 or beneski.barron@orbital.com; or
Investors: Tim Perrott, 703-406-5997 or perrott.tim@orbital.com, both of
Orbital Sciences Corporation.
