Former US Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn heads Finmeccanica US division

Finmeccanica SpA announced the appointment of former U.S. deputy secretary of defense William Lynn as head of its U.S. division, DRS Technologies, in the first major appointment made under the Italian defense and aerospace group’s new chief executive.
The DRS board named Lynn as chairman and chief executive, replacing Mark Newman, who is retiring,

This new appointment is a key element of the Finmeccanica Group‘s strategy aimed at strengthening its US defense and security business through a more effective and competitive organization and management structure – one that can address the changing requirements of the US customer.
“I am very pleased to welcome Bill to the Finmeccanica team,” said Giuseppe Orsi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finmeccanica. “He is uniquely qualified for this role, having worked in both the public and private sectors including recent service as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense.
Bill‘s responsibilities will be to develop our business in North America, and shape and manage the Group‘s activities, to reposition them in light of a changing US and international defense and security market. He will also be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of corporate governance, business ethics and security compliance across the company.” Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi said.

Lynn brings to Finmeccanica almost 30 years of experience in the defense sector. Prior to joining the Finmeccanica Group, Lynn served as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense. From 2002 to 2009, he was Senior Vice President of Government Operations and Strategy at a leading defense company.
Additionally, he worked for four years as Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). He was also Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Lynn holds a law degree from Cornell Law School and a Master‘s degree in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. He is also a graduate of Dartmouth College. His publications include a book, Toward a More Effective Defense, as  well as articles in newspapers and professional journals.

Acquired by Finmeccanica in 2008, DRS and other defense contractors face a tough time as the U.S. government cuts back on spending in light of the economic crisis.

Finmeccanica makes AgustaWestland helicopters and supplies parts to Boeing Co.

from, Dow Jones Newswires (The Wall Street Journal) and Finmeccanica

see also:
• Finmeccanica Companies
• Finmeccanica Organization
• Finmeccanica World Wide