12 Jul 2006 | Ref. 178/2006
ROCKVILLE, Md. – Mark Ronald, president and chief executive officer of BAE Systems, Inc., and chief operating officer and member of the Board of Directors for BAE Systems plc, has been awarded the John Curtis Sword Award by the editors of Aviation Week & Space Technology. The award is presented biennially to those best demonstrating trans-Atlantic leadership and cooperation in the aerospace industry.
“We’re extremely proud to award the Curtis Sword to Mark Ronald,” said Tom Henricks, Aviation Week president. “His energy and leadership across the Atlantic reflects the spirit of the Curtis Sword to foster Anglo-American aerospace cooperation.”
Ronald serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association as well as the Board of Governors of the Electronic Industries Alliance. He holds the Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of furthering trans-Atlantic cooperation in the U.S.-U.K. defense industries. In 2005, Ronald was honored by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation with the Semper Fidelis Award for his efforts in support of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
Ronald holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Bucknell University and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Polytechnic Institute of New York, and has received Distinguished Engineering Alumni awards from both schools.
The award is named in honor of John Curtis, an Aviation Week & Space Technology director in the United Kingdom who worked to foster close ties between the U.S. and the U.K. aerospace community. After Curtis’ death in 1978, friends and colleagues presented the publication with a Wilkinson sword to honor the late staff member.
The award will be presented at the Farnborough International Reception on July 17. Guests expected to celebrate Ronald’s achievement include His Royal Highness The Duke of York, Knight of the Garter, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, U.K. government officials and global aerospace executives.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier trans-Atlantic defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. BAE Systems, with more than 100,000 employees worldwide, had 2005 sales that exceeded $28 billion.
For further information, contact
DeAnn Baxter, BAE Systems
Tel: 703-907-8257 Cell: 703-967-3854
deann.baxter@baesystems.com
John Measell, BAE Systems
Tel: 703-907-8261 Cell: 703-405-5010
john.h.measell@baesystems.com
