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Marion Van Fosson Named VP, GM of EMS Defense & Space

^{Published on 2010-08-26 06:16:31 - Market Wire}
 

ATLANTA--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--EMS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMG) announced today the appointment of Marion Van Fosson as vice president and general manager of the companya™s EMS Defense & Space business unit, effective today. EMS Defense & Space employs over 300 people and builds leading-edge antenna and beam-management systems for mobile network-centric operations and radar battlefield visibility.

"Joining EMS Technologies allows me to continue my service to the nation and its soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines by bringing leading-edge radar, antenna and beam-management systems to mobile network-centric operations. These technologies enable greater survivability for our servicemen and women."

Van Fosson will serve as a member of EMSa™s senior management team, reporting to John B. Mowell, executive director and chairman of the board.

aMarion is the ideal executive to lead EMS Defense & Space at a critical time in our evolution into a product and solutions-focused business that can deliver faster, lighter comms-on-the-move systems to the military. His experience in both the private and public sectors includes leadership positions with leading growth companies in the communications, defense and aerospace industries and serving in critical Department of Defense (DoD) program management roles a" experiences that make him ideal for this role,a said Mowell.

Most recently, Van Fosson led the Military Vehicle Systems business unit for BAE Systems, the worlda™s second-largest global defense company. As VP and general manager, he led the division as it doubled both sales and profits, growing the group to $150 million per year in sales.

Prior to BAE, Van Fosson held senior leadership positions with Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Electro-Optical Systems business unit (formerly Litton Electro-Optical Systems), culminating in his position as the division president. In this role, he was able to quickly turn the business around through the introduction of new product lines, reorganizing business units and consolidating operations. As a result, sales increased from $90 million to $120 million, inventory was reduced by 50 percent, and gross profits increased 14 percent.

Van Fosson also enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the U.S. Army. He served as program manager for Future Combat Systems for the U.S. Army and the Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA), where he led the startup of a joint $60-billion program to build an optimized combat fighting system to replace three armored vehicles. As product manager for Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below, Van Fosson oversaw all software development for FBCB2, a situational awareness and command-and-control system used by U.S. and coalition forces to allow warfighters to share critical information.

Van Fosson said, aJoining EMS Technologies allows me to continue my service to the nation and its soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines by bringing leading-edge radar, antenna and beam-management systems to mobile network-centric operations. These technologies enable greater survivability for our servicemen and women.a He added, aI am very excited to join such a distinguished radar and communication leader as EMS Technologies. I look forward to working with the professional men and women who greet the challenge of developing these critical technologies and products in support of our nation.a

Van Fosson has a mastera™s degree in physics from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a former researcher and physics faculty member at West Point, The U.S. Military Academy.

About EMS Defense & Space

EMS Defense & Space, a division of EMS Technologies (NASDAQ: ELMG), is a leading supplier of antenna systems and beam management for a broad range of military and commercial applications, including mobile network-centric operations, radar for battlefield visibility and commercial aero connectivity. Defense & Space hardware products and systems enable secure and vital RF links in the air, in space, at sea and on the ground. Visit [ www.emsdss.com ] or [ www.ems-t.com ] for more information.

About EMS Technologies, Inc.

EMS Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELMG) is aleading provider of wireless connectivity solutions over satellite and terrestrial networks. EMS keeps people and systems connected, wherever they are a" on land, at sea, in the air or in space. Serving the aeronautical, asset tracking, defense, and mobile computing industries, EMS products and services enable universal mobility, visibility and intelligence. Visit [ www.ems-t.com ] for more information.