HERNDON, Va., June 25, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Airbus Americas has appointed Amanda Simpson as its new Vice President, Research and Technology (R&T). In this role, Ms. Simpson is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and funding opportunities for partnerships with scientific and research communities in North America.
Ms. Simpson brings more than 30 years of aerospace industry experience, including positions at Douglas Aircraft Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Hughes Helicopters, Inc. and the Raytheon Company.
She joins Airbus following her position in the U.S. Department of Defense, where she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Operational Energy. In this role, she was the senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense for all matters pertaining to energy in the U.S. military, worldwide.
In prior roles within the U.S. government, Ms. Simpson served in senior-level research and technology-focused leadership positions within the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Commerce focusing on a wide array of challenging topics including developing large-scale renewable energy projects, defense acquisition and research strategy, and export control reform.
In her new role with Airbus Americas she will report to Airbus Americas Chairman and CEO C. Jeffrey Knittel and work in partnership with Alisa Adel, Head of Contracting & Partnerships, Airbus R&T, based in Toulouse, France.
“Airbus has a long history as an innovation leader in aviation and aerospace,” Mr. Knittel said. “Creating and nurturing strong relationships with research communities is a critical aspect of our strategic business plan going forward.”
“Amanda’s broad skillset and background in aerospace and public-private partnerships, coupled with her high-level government experience, will add significant value to the scope and scale of research partnerships for Airbus in the Americas,” Mr. Knittel added.
Possessing a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Harvey Mudd College, Ms. Simpson also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering from California State University, Northridge and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arizona. She is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where she served on the Systems Engineering Technical Committee.
Ms. Simpson is a certified airline transport pilot and a certified flight instructor.
About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of € 67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats and business aviation products. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
Contacts for the Media : Bart Greer +15713067246 M:+17033341571 barton.greer@airbus.com
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