Textron Names Ellen Lord as President & CEO of Textron Systems

Textron (NYSE: TXT) today announced that Ellen Lord has been named president and CEO of its Textron Systems segment. She succeeds Fred Strader who is retiring from the company. Lord has been serving as the senior vice president and general manager of Textron Defense Systems (TDS), an operating unit of Textron Systems that manufactures smart weapons as well as advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and protection systems. Lord joined Textron in 1984 as a chemist for Textron's Automotive Technology Center in Dover, N.H. where she led the development of an innovative new family of engineering thermoplastics. She transitioned to Textron Systems in 1998 and since then has held a variety of leadership roles across its many businesses, including senior vice president and general manager of AAI Corporation and vice president of integration management for Textron Systems. Lord will report directly to Textron Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Scott Donnelly. “Since taking over the leadership of TDS in January 2011, Ellen has effectively tackled the dynamics of an unpredictable defense industry and shifting customer demands, successfully realigning the business to drive a culture of superior execution and profitable growth,” said Donnelly. “She is a highly respected professional in the defense industry and for more than two decades, has been an outstanding leader at Textron with a proven track record in achieving profitable results. I am confident that her extensive experience in business strategy and execution—along with her high-energy approach to business development—make her the ideal candidate to help Textron Systems maximize its global growth opportunities.” In reference to Lord's predecessor, Fred Strader, Donnelly added, “Under Fred's leadership, Textron Systems achieved several product milestones and program wins, including the successful launch of the Shadow TM Tactical Unmanned Aerial System and most recently, the capture of the U.S. Navy Ship-to-Shore Connector opportunity as well as Canada's Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle Program. We thank him for his leadership and service to the corporation and wish him the very best in his retirement.”