CAE appoints Daniel Gelston as Group President, Defence & Security

Rhea-AI Summary

CAE has appointed Daniel Gelston as Group President of Defence & Security, effective August 24, 2020, succeeding Heidi Wood. Gelston brings over 20 years of experience in the U.S. military and global defence industry, previously serving as President at L3Harris Technologies. His leadership is expected to drive growth in CAE’s Defence sector. Gelston holds degrees in Strategic Intelligence and Economics from Bucknell University and has a military background as an Armor and Military Intelligence Officer.

Positive

• Appointment of Daniel Gelston is anticipated to drive growth in Defence sector.
• Gelston's extensive leadership experience in the defence industry is expected to enhance CAE's competitive positioning.

Negative

• Transition in leadership may lead to initial disruptions or adjustments in strategy.

MONTREAL and WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ - (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE) – CAE is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Gelston as Group President, Defence & Security, effective August 24, 2020. He will be based in Washington, D.C. and will be succeeding Heidi Wood, CAE's Executive Vice–President, Business Development & Growth Initiatives, who was also acting as interim Group President.

"I am very pleased to welcome Dan Gelston to CAE's executive management team, as our new Group President, Defence & Security. He is a proven leader with more than 20 years of experience in the U.S. military, intelligence community and the global defence industry," said Marc Parent, CAE's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Dan's energy and his solid track record as a growth-focused leader will be invaluable in driving the growth of our Defence business in our core operations and expanding further into an array of related adjacencies that align well to our business strengths. I have no doubt that his industry experience and exceptional leadership will propel our Defence business to reach its full potential."

Before joining CAE, Mr. Gelston served as President of L3Harris Technologies' Broadband Communications Systems sector and President of Communication Systems-West division. In this role, Mr. Gelston led his team to multiple record-breaking years of fiscal performance and significantly improved the business's overall competitive win-rate and pipeline expansion.

Prior to his leadership role at L3Harris Technologies, Mr. Gelston was President of the Special Security Agreement (SSA) businesses Smiths Detection Inc. and Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance. In 2017, he led the SSA-controlled portion of Smith's $710 million Morpho Detection acquisition and the divestment of Smith's Brazil business. In 2015, Mr. Gelston led the sale of Cobham's Surveillance Business and served as CEO during its transition to a standalone company.

Mr. Gelston holds a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University and a double-major Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Strategic Policy from Bucknell University.

Mr. Gelston's military experience includes active and reserve duty from 1998 to 2007 as an Armor and Military Intelligence Officer. He is a US Army Armor School Draper Awardee and Intelligence Officer School Distinguished Honor Graduate.

About CAE

CAE is a global leader in training for the civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare markets. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to help define global training standards with our innovative virtual-to-live training solutions to make flying safer, maintain defence force readiness and enhance patient safety. We have the broadest global presence in the industry, with over 10,500 employees, 160 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. Each year, we train more than 220,000 civil and defence crewmembers, including more than 135,000 pilots, and thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide. www.cae.com  

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SOURCE CAE INC.

FAQ

What is the significance of Daniel Gelston's appointment at CAE?

Daniel Gelston's appointment as Group President of Defence & Security is significant as he brings extensive experience and a track record of growth, which CAE aims to leverage for expanding its Defence operations.

Who did Daniel Gelston replace at CAE?

Daniel Gelston replaces Heidi Wood, who was the interim Group President prior to his appointment.

When does Daniel Gelston officially start his role at CAE?

Daniel Gelston officially starts his role as Group President on August 24, 2020.

What previous experience does Daniel Gelston have before joining CAE?

Before joining CAE, Gelston served as President of L3Harris Technologies and held leadership roles at Smiths Detection and Cobham Tactical Communications.

How might Gelston's leadership impact CAE's Defence business?

Gelston's leadership is expected to enhance CAE's Defence business by driving growth and improving competitive performance through his industry expertise.