ATLANTA, March 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) announced today key senior management appointments designed to accelerate the rate of growth.
Dr. Neil Mackay has been appointed president of EMS SATCOM and will assist the company's expansion in a newly created position of vice president of Corporate Development, reporting to EMS President and CEO Paul Domorski. Mackay will relocate to the corporate headquarters in Norcross, Ga.
Mackay joined EMS in 1993 following the acquisition of Ottawa-based CAL Corp., now EMS SATCOM, where he was president and CEO. Under Mackay's leadership, the SATCOM division has enjoyed double-digit compound annual growth and is a recognized leader in aeronautical systems. EMS SATCOM also was the first in the satellite industry to build an aero terminal that works with Inmarsat satellites to provide high-speed data on aircraft. Today, the division has a substantial market share in both the corporate aero-broadband and military aero-broadband markets.
"Neil has had a distinguished career in business and has established an enviable reputation in his field. He will work with me to position EMS for further growth in each of our market segments as we look for new opportunities to grow the company, whether it be acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances or investment opportunities," Domorski said.
Hebb Selected to Lead EMS SATCOM
Gary Hebb, a 20-year communications technology veteran becomes vice president and general manager of EMS SATCOM, reporting to Neil Mackay. Most recently, he served as EMS SATCOM's vice president of engineering and business development. Hebb joined EMS SATCOM as a software group leader in 1989, and has made significant contributions to EMS SATCOM's product roadmap, including designing the steering system for the Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) antenna systems delivered to LiveTV and now flying on airlines in the United States, UK and Australia. Under his engineering leadership, EMS SATCOM developed key technology that helped the division get a two-year head start entering the airborne communications market.
"With Gary heading up the development of our aeronautical products, EMS SATCOM has experienced tremendous growth in the past six years," said Mackay. "I have great confidence in Gary and his team; that they will continue building and innovating to maintain our leadership in the satellite communications industry."
Defense Technology Veteran to Lead EMS D&SS
EMS also announces the appointment of David Smith, an industry veteran of advanced technology companies in the defense and homeland security markets, as vice president and general manager of EMS D&SS, reporting to EMS's president and CEO.
Smith joins EMS after serving as CEO and managing director of Metal Storm Inc., an Australian public company specializing in the design, development and integration of projectile launching systems for use in the defense, homeland security and law enforcement markets.
Prior to his tenure with Metal Storm, Smith served as president and COO of Sensytech Inc., based in Newington, Va., a technology company that manufactures and supports a range of undersea and electronic countermeasure systems, geospatial/geothermal imaging, and highly classified intercept and intelligence support. David holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and an MBA from Syracuse University. He presently lives in Northern Virginia but will be relocating to the Atlanta area.
"David is a high-energy leader who brings to D&SS a breadth of business management, operations and defense technology expertise, as well as a proven track record in growing businesses," says Domorski. "He will provide strong leadership to help D&SS as a key military and commercial space supplier of broadband antenna systems. He will help us remain focused on long-term military programs, while also offering EMS insights to address more urgent warfighter needs."
About EMS Technologies, Inc.
EMS Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ELMG) is a wireless and satellite communication solutions leader, serving aeronautical, defense, maritime, commercial space and supply chain markets. Through EMS's LXE business, and its EMS SATCOM and Defense & Space Systems divisions, EMS keeps people, systems and data connected, wherever they are -- on the ground, in the warehouse, in the air, or in space. The Company is headquartered in Atlanta, employs approximately 1,000 people worldwide and operates major manufacturing facilities in Atlanta and Ottawa, Canada.
EMS SATCOM specializes in the design and development of satellite-based terminals and antennas for the aeronautical, ground-mobile, maritime and emergency management markets. Based in Ottawa, Canada, EMS SATCOM employs approximately 300 people in development and sales offices in the U.K., the United States and Europe. Visit www.emssatcom.com for more information.
EMS Technologies' Defense & Space Systems Division develops advanced technology systems for military and space applications. The Division provides critical subsystems for communication, radar and electronic warfare systems.
For more information, visit EMS on the World Wide Web at www.ems-t.com.
Editor's Note: Access photos of all EMS executives from the EMS Bio area: http://www.ems-t.com/company/executives.aspx.