SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne announced today that Jim Maser will join the company on Aug. 13 as senior vice president of the Space Business Unit, reporting directly to CEO and President Eileen Drake.

In this role, Maser will oversee all NASA programs, defense and commercial launch systems, advanced space and launch strategy programs, and in-space propulsion system programs supported by sites throughout the country. He will be based out of the company’s Los Angeles facility in Canoga Park, California.

Maser brings more than 32 years of global aerospace experience spanning entrepreneurial space launch and human spaceflight as well as commercial and military jet engines. He previously served as president of James G. Advisors, LLC, a strategy, leadership and technical execution consulting firm. Prior to that, Maser held a number of roles within Pratt & Whitney between 2006 and 2017, including vice president of the F135 engine program and president of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, where he was responsible for the design, manufacture and performance of power and propulsion systems across numerous platforms.

Prior to Pratt & Whitney, Maser served in several other high-profile roles, including president and general manager at Boeing-led Sea Launch company, and president and chief operating officer at SpaceX.

“Jim’s incredible breadth of expertise in the industry includes leadership for both commercial and traditional space companies, providing unique perspective as we continue driving innovation and proven reliability into our expanding space portfolio,” said Drake. “Because Jim previously served as president of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne for more than six years, he also brings familiarity with our products, our customers and our world-class workforce. I can’t think of a better match for our company and for our Space organization, and I am thrilled to have Jim join my senior leadership team.”

Maser is the immediate past president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and currently serves on the association’s board of trustees.

About Aerojet Rocketdyne: Aerojet Rocketdyne, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD ), is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion systems and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, and tactical systems areas, in support of domestic and international customers. For more information, visit www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com . Follow Aerojet Rocketdyne and CEO Eileen Drake on Twitter at @AerojetRdyne and @DrakeEileen .

Media Contacts: Steve Warren, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 703-650-0278 Steven.Warren@Rocket.com Lynn Machon, Aerojet Rocketdyne, 916-355-3587 Lynn.Machon@Rocket.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...9872c5723b