Esterline Selects Steve Zimmerman to Lead the Comp

BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Esterline Corporation ( www.esterline.com ) (NYSE: ESL ), a leading global specialty manufacturer primarily serving the aerospace and defense markets, today announced that industry veteran Steve Zimmerman has been selected to serve as President for Esterline Power Systems, a global group of companies specialized in power control and distribution for applications primarily in the aerospace, defense, rail and industrial markets. Esterline Power Systems has operating facilities in Europe, North America and Asia. The group’s prior president, Mark Thek, has been with the company for more than 20 years and has decided to take on a new challenge within another one of Esterline’s business groups.

Esterline CEO Curtis Reusser said, “We are pleased to welcome Steve to the team and we’re excited about his decades of experience creating and leading high-performing, global organizations in our industry. I am confident he can continue and further the positive progress we’ve made with our world-leading Power Systems group.”

Zimmerman has more than 30 years of experience in aerospace and defense. He spent 12 years with Zodiac Aerospace, most recently as CEO for the Zodiac Cabin Interiors Integration Division. He also served as CEO for the Zodiac Cabin & Structures Business Segment, President and CEO of the company’s Monogram Systems business, and in other high-level management roles during his tenure there. He worked for more than two decades with Garrett AiResearch, which merged with AlliedSignal and later was integrated with Honeywell, where he served in a number of engineering, product development, and executive positions, most recently as Vice President Boeing Commercial Business, Airframe Systems. Over the years, he has managed organizations with more than $1 billion in revenue characterized by global operational structures employing thousands of people.

Zimmerman has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Washington, a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Arizona State University.    

Mark Thek has served as President for Esterline Power Systems since 2008 and has been with the company in various engineering and management roles since 1996. He will now lead the Americas team at Esterline Connection Technologies. The group is focused on enhancing Esterline’s presence and capabilities for connection solutions throughout the Americas while leveraging the strength of the company’s European connection technologies business.

Reusser said, “Esterline is fortunate to have such a dynamic leader in Mark, who not only drove notable improvements in our Power Systems group, but also jumped at the chance to further share his skills for building strong teams, improving strategic market penetration, and transforming businesses.”

Esterline Power Systems and Esterline Connection Technologies are both part of the company’s Sensors and Systems business segment.

About Esterline: Esterline Corporation is a leading worldwide supplier to the aerospace and defense industry specializing in three core areas: Advanced Materials; Avionics & Controls; and Sensors & Systems. With annual sales of approximately $2 billion, Esterline employs roughly 13,000 people worldwide.

Operations within the Advanced Materials segment focus on technologies including high-temperature-resistant materials and components used for a wide range of military and commercial aerospace purposes, and combustible ordnance and electronic warfare countermeasure products.

Operations within the Avionics & Controls segment focus on technology interface systems for commercial and military aircraft and similar devices for land- and sea-based military vehicles, cockpit displays and integration systems, flight training and simulation equipment, secure communications systems, specialized medical equipment, and other high-end industrial applications.

The Sensors & Systems segment includes operations that produce high-precision temperature and pressure sensors, specialized harsh-environment connectors, electrical power distribution equipment, and other related systems principally for aerospace and defense customers.

Contact: Michelle DeGrand 425-453-9400