Breeze-Eastern
23 May, 12Breeze-Eastern Corporation (nyse mkt:BZC)(nyse mkt:the "Company") today announced that Brad Pedersen has been appointed to serve as the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer. Pedersen succeeds Donald M. (Mike) Harlan, who has served as Breeze-Eastern's President and CEO since January, 2010, and who has decided to resign to pursue other interests. Pedersen has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors, filling the seat vacated by Harlan, who also has resigned from the Board.
"Today marks an important transition," said Robert J. Kelly, Breeze-Eastern's Chairman. "At the same time that the Board would like to thank Mike for his service to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors, we look forward to working with Brad to build an even stronger company. Brad brings substantial experience leading similar businesses, a deep understanding of the aerospace industry in general and over 17 years' experience in the helicopter industry. He has a track record of generating profitable growth by successfully managing engineering development programs and providing strong customer service."
"I am attracted by Breeze-Eastern's heritage -- rescuing people from dangerous situations," said Pedersen. "Although Breeze-Eastern is a financially stable, cash generative company with no net debt on its balance sheet," Pedersen continued, "there is plenty of work to do. I'm eager to join the existing management team and continue their efforts to revitalize the Company's engineering and new product development efforts."
Pedersen joins Breeze-Eastern from New Jersey-based Airborne Systems Group, a multi-national developer and manufacturer of parachutes and related aerospace products, where he most recently was President. Before joining Airborne, Pedersen spent six years at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., as Canadian Maritime Helicopter Project Program Manager, UH-60M Program Manager, and Director of Advanced Programs (R&D). Mr. Pedersen also held a leadership position in the Mergers and Acquisitions group. Before joining Sikorsky, Pedersen from 1983 to 2000 served in a variety of roles at Boeing, including Director -- International Apache Programs, Director -- Ordnance Programs, Program Manager -- Advanced Programs and Flight Test Engineer. Pedersen received a BS, Aeronautical Engineering Technology, and an MBA from Arizona State University.
In connection with his hiring, the Company will grant to Pedersen an option to purchase 400,000 shares of its common stock. The option will have a term of ten years and an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's stock on May 21, 2012. An option to purchase 50,000 shares will be immediately exercisable upon grant, and the option to purchase remaining 350,000 shares will vest gradually in installments of 50,000 shares based upon whether the average closing price of the Company's common stock over a thirty-day period exceeds certain pre-determined thresholds within certain timeframes.
Breeze-Eastern Corporation ( http://www.breeze-eastern.com ) is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of high performance lifting and pulling devices for military and civilian aircraft, including rescue hoists, winches and cargo hooks, and weapons-lifting systems. The Company employs approximately 180 people at its facilities in Whippany, New Jersey.
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