Howard Lance named president and CEO of MDA

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (“MDA” or the “Company”) announced on April 14 that its Board of Directors has appointed Howard Lance as president and chief executive officer of Canada-based MDA, effective May 16, 2016. The Board expects to appoint Lance to the MDA Board of Directors shortly after he joins the Company.

Lance succeeds Daniel Friedmann, who has served as CEO since 1995. Friedmann will continue to serve as member of the Board of Directors. This appointment is part of MDA’s broader strategy to position itself to enable the Company to bid and execute a much broader range of U.S. Government and commercial contracts.

From 2003—2011, Lance was chairman and CEO of Harris Corporation, an international communications and information company serving government and commercial customers.  During this period, the company posted top- and bottom-line growth at a compounded annualized rate of 14 and 22% respectively. Since 2012, Lance has been executive advisor at Blackstone Group’s private equity business, with a focus on strategy, acquisitions, operations and organizational development of certain holdings. Prior to Harris, Lance served as president and chief operating officer of NCR Corporation from 2001—2003. From 1984—2001, Lance served in a variety of progressively more senior roles at Emerson Electric Company, lastly as executive vice president of the Electronics and Telecom segment.

Speaking on behalf of the MDA Board, Chairman Bob Phillips said, “Howard Lance brings to MDA a unique combination of skills and experience that make him ideally suited to lead MDA in further advancing its strategy of U.S. expansion. Throughout his career, Lance established a strong record of driving growth across multiple global businesses, and building teams that make these businesses thrive.”

“I am thrilled to be joining MDA at such an important time in the Company’s history,” said Lance.  “During the past decade, MDA has transitioned into a leading provider of highly dependable satellite communication and information solutions to commercial and government customers worldwide. With its strong financial position and robust pipeline of opportunities, particularly in the U.S., the Company is ideally positioned for further growth. I look forward to working with the Company’s management team and employees to build on the success it has achieved.”

Chairman Bob Phillips added, “Under Dan’s leadership, MDA has transitioned from a $100 million primarily domestic and privately held ground systems company to a $2 billion internationally oriented and publicly traded satellite communication and information company. We thank Dan for his many years of unrelenting dedication to the Company. We look forward to working with Howard Lance on moving MDA to the next level of profitable growth and value-creation, and to Dan remaining on the Board and thereby continuing to make a valuable contribution to MDA’s future success.”

Dan Friedmann commented, “MDA is a great company with solid management teams and highly talented employees, and with bright prospects. To fully implement our expansion plans the Company needs a U.S.-based CEO. Howard Lance’s proven expertise in leading the expansion strategy of similar companies will be a tremendous asset to MDA.”

Source: MDA