Textron names new board member
Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) announced that Deborah Lee James has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective July 1. James recently retired as the 23rd Secretary of the United States Air Force, a position she had held since 2013. James has 30 years of homeland and national security experience in the federal government and the private sector.
“We are extremely fortunate and honored to welcome the Honorable Deborah James to our board,” said Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly. “Deborah’s deep expertise in national security, government procurement, strategic planning, cybersecurity, logistics and innovation, garnered from her leadership positions at the U.S. Air Force and private industry, will greatly benefit Textron,” Donnelly added.
As Secretary of the Air Force, James oversaw the Air Force’s annual budget of more than $139 billion. She led the Air Force in reaching key milestones in the next generation fighter (F-35) program and the refueling aircraft program (KC-46), as well as in launching important modernization programs, including a new combat rescue helicopter, long-range strategic bomber and trainer aircraft. She also ordered the development of a comprehensive cyber campaign plan and directed the overhaul of the Air Force’s logistics organization and processes.
