Merex Group Appoints David G. Faulkner as President of Engineering and Manufacturing Business Unit

CAMARILLO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Merex Group, a Dubin Clark & Company portfolio company, is pleased to announce the appointment of David Faulkner to the role of President of Engineering and Manufacturing (“E&M”). He will be responsible for the full P&L, strategy, and overall leadership of the Merex Group E&M business unit located in Camarillo, CA. David will be replacing Eric Hillewaert, who has been the interim executive for this business and will be returning to a business development role within the company.

Faulkner's immediate focus will be on the continued development of the engineering, design, and manufacturing teams, as well as the overall expansion of product development and manufacturing capabilities. As President of E&M, Faulkner will also work with the Merex Group business development team on a variety of strategic projects focused on customer account development and follow-on manufacturing acquisitions. He will report directly to the Merex Group CEO and will be based in Camarillo, CA.

Mr. Faulkner has nearly 20 years of leadership experience developing complex aerospace systems and engineered products. He brings a breadth of experience developing new products, managing complex defense programs, and coordinating manufacturing programs to ensure product integration meets customer requirements. Faulkner has a strong track record of working to develop new business opportunities leading to new contract awards, product development, and overall customer value creation.

David was most recently engaged as the Technical Director for Defense Electronics Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems, Inc. ATK. As the overall technical lead for the U.S. Navy's Multi-Stage Supersonic Target (GQM-173A MSST) program, he successfully led the team in solving numerous technical issues and preparing the system for deployment. Faulkner began his career with ATK as a Senior Program Manager for AGM-88E (AARGM) Missile System Development & Derivatives where he was responsible for the Block I Upgrade Program, the Continuous Improvement Program which focused on cost reduction initiatives for full rate production and the development of advanced derivatives of the missile system.

Previously, Faulkner served as the Chief Technology Officer for Rocketplane Global, Inc. (“RGI”), a privately held aerospace design and development company headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK. In this capacity, he was responsible for overall company operations, including full technical and budgetary authority for the XP Spaceplane development. Prior to that, Faulkner held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility including Rocketplane® XP Program Manager, NASA COTS PCM Interim Program Manager, and Rocket Propulsion Lead/Chief Design Engineer.

Mr. Faulkner began his career at Lockheed Martin Corporation LMT. His last post was as Senior Conceptual Design Engineer at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Skunk Works® where he developed and met all program objectives for the DARPA FALCON Hypersonic Program and the Quiet Supersonic Platform Program. Prior to serving in this capacity, he served as a Flight Test Engineer on the F-22 and F-16 Programs.

“David is a seasoned defense executive with a strong track record of program and business unit transformation within high profile organizations. His unique background in product engineering and new product manufacturing fills a critical role as we endeavor to expand our proprietary product offerings and overall manufacturing capabilities. I expect he will quickly earn the respect of our global customer and partner base as we broaden the scope of our proprietary and licensed legacy aircraft components,” stated Christopher R. Celtruda, Merex Group CEO.

Faulkner holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. Aerospace Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

About Merex Group:

The Merex Group is a global provider of comprehensive support for U.S. manufactured legacy defense platforms including aircraft, helicopters, and their respective engines. Supporting more than 50 countries worldwide that operate legacy defense platforms, the Merex Group "Total Support" approach of providing spares/components, repair/overhaul management, manufacturing & engineering solutions and overall program management has been instrumental in the company's success in this growing market. The Merex Group is headquartered in Camarillo, California and is a Dubin Clark Portfolio Company. Further information is available at: www.merexinc.com.

About Kellstrom Defense:

Kellstrom Defense Aerospace, Inc. (“Kellstrom Defense”) is a leading provider of aftermarket logistics support for military and defense platforms around the world, including but not limited to C-130, F-16, F-5/T-38, P-3, Boeing 707 defense derivative aircraft, and multiple rotary-wing platforms. Kellstrom Defense specializes in complete Supply Chain Management (SCM) services through establishing strategic alliances and partnerships with the defense aviation industry's leading manufactures and repair centers, providing a suite of solutions for Operators, Depots, and Aircraft MRO Centers worldwide sustaining legacy military platforms. Further information is available at: www.kellstromdefense.com.

About Dubin Clark & Company:

Dubin Clark & Company is a private equity investment firm founded in 1984 exclusively on purchasing and cultivating businesses into profitable enterprises, all the time working alongside the businesses' preexisting management. The organization has a philosophy of "Maintaining each company's values, independence and culture; our goal is to build on what has already been achieved." Further information is available at: www.dubinclark.com.