Thales Appoints New Lead for U.S. Communications Business

March 18, 2010
CLARKSBURG, Md., March 18, 2010 – Thales Communications, Inc. has appointed Michael Sheehan as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President. Mr. Sheehan’s appointment follows the planned retirement of Mitch Herbets, CEO and President of the business since 2000. Thales Communications, Inc. is a Thales USA company operating under a proxy agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.

CLARKSBURG, Md., March 18, 2010 – Thales Communications, Inc. has appointed Michael Sheehan as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President. Mr. Sheehan’s appointment follows the planned retirement of Mitch Herbets, CEO and President of the business since 2000.

Thales Communications, Inc. is a Thales USA company operating under a proxy agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Mr. Sheehan takes over Thales’s U.S. communications business following a decade of significant growth and important milestones. Thales Communications is a market leader in the development, manufacture and support of multiband, software-defined radio equipment. In early 2009, the company announced the cumulative deployment of over 150,000 AN/PRC-148 radios, one product within the company’s growing portfolio.

“Under Mitch Herbets’ leadership, our U.S. communications business thrived in terms of innovation, profitability and contribution to our defense and security customers’ requirements,” stated Allan Cameron, CEO and President of Thales USA. “We’re very confident in Mike Sheehan’s ability to guide our communications business and continue its position as a foundation to Thales’s broader C4ISR offering in the U.S.”

Mr. Sheehan brings over 27 years of industry experience to Thales. He most recently served as a senior executive with Cobham’s Avionics business. He also held positions with DRS Technologies, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems, where his 18 year tenure included senior management positions in engineering, program management and business development.

Mr. Sheehan brings proven tactical communications experience to Thales, having supported and managed elements of programs including JTRS, Future Combat Systems (FCS), Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) and Link 16. He began his career as an RF design engineer for the RCA Corporation. Mr. Sheehan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University, a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University, and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.

About Thales Communications, Inc.

Thales Communications, Inc. (www.thalescomminc.com) is a global leader in the development of battle-proven, software-defined, radio equipment and solutions. The company serves the ground, naval, airborne, and homeland security domains with tactical electronic equipment and information systems that address the technological and environmental challenges presented in real-world situations—especially those with size, weight, and power constraints. A U.S. proxy company (100% American), Thales Communications, Inc. is part of Thales (www.thalesgroup.com), a global technology leader for the Aerospace and Space, Defense, Security, and Transportation markets. In 2009, the company generated revenues of $18 billion with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop, and deploy equipment, systems, and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world.

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