Aerojet Rocketdyne Welcomes Amy Gowder as Chief Operating Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Aerojet Rocketdyne announced the appointment of Amy Gowder as Chief Operating Officer, effective May 4, 2020. She will succeed Mark Tucker, who is retiring after nearly 40 years in the aerospace sector. Gowder brings over 20 years of experience and previously served at Lockheed Martin. CEO Eileen Drake emphasized Gowder's role in executing the company's growth strategy and enhancing shareholder value. Tucker will aid in the transition, having led significant initiatives like the Competitive Improvement Program.

Positive

• Amy Gowder's extensive experience in aerospace is expected to enhance company operations.
• Gowder will focus on optimizing performance and increasing shareholder value.

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• None.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne announced today that Amy Gowder will join the company on May 4, 2020, as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Gowder will report directly to CEO and President Eileen Drake and will serve as one of the officers of parent company Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD). Gowder will replace current COO Mark Tucker who has decided to retire at the end of this year. Mark will work with Amy to ensure a seamless transition and continue to work with Eileen on enterprise-wide initiatives.

“I am delighted that Amy will join Aerojet Rocketdyne as our new Chief Operating Officer. She is a proven leader with broad experience across our industry,” said Drake. “Amy will play an important role in executing our growth strategy, optimizing performance and increasing customer and shareholder value as Aerojet Rocketdyne continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and expands our nation’s defense capabilities.”

Gowder brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the aerospace and technology sector. She most recently served as vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin’s Training and Logistics Solutions line of business within the Rotary and Mission Systems business area.

In her new role with Aerojet Rocketdyne, Gowder will lead the company’s Centers of Excellence with a focus on ensuring that they deliver value to customers and shareholders, continuously improve, and strengthen Aerojet Rocketdyne’s world-class operations.

Gowder is a proven leader who was named a “Top 40-Under-40 Aviation Executive” by Aviation Week in 2012 and was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2015. Amy has served on multiple advisory boards, committees and task forces in the states of Texas and Florida, advising on aerospace and defense as well as economic development topics. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan Fellows Program with a Master of Business Administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Arizona State University.

“I would like to thank Mark for his tremendous contribution to Aerojet Rocketdyne and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement after nearly 40 years in the aerospace industry,” said Drake. “Mark played a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of our business and leading the implementation of our successful Competitive Improvement Program (CIP).” Tucker joined the company in 2013 as senior vice president of Enterprise Operations and Engineering and was named COO in 2015.

About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com. Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen.

Media Contact:
Steve Warren, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 703-650-0278
Steven.Warren@Rocket.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ebecf80-9fd4-4bdc-a25d-77a5f9c9f6a7

FAQ

Who is the new Chief Operating Officer of Aerojet Rocketdyne?

Amy Gowder has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer of Aerojet Rocketdyne.

When did Amy Gowder start at Aerojet Rocketdyne?

Amy Gowder started her role as Chief Operating Officer on May 4, 2020.

What role did Mark Tucker play at Aerojet Rocketdyne?

Mark Tucker served as Chief Operating Officer and is retiring at the end of 2020.

What is Amy Gowder's prior experience before joining Aerojet Rocketdyne?

Before joining Aerojet Rocketdyne, Amy Gowder was Vice President and General Manager at Lockheed Martin.

What initiatives did Mark Tucker lead at Aerojet Rocketdyne?

Mark Tucker led the successful implementation of the Competitive Improvement Program during his tenure.