Chris Emerson, former president of the helicopter manufacturing business and head of North American operations at Airbus Group, has been named president of the aerospace contractor’s Herndon, Va.-based defense and space unit.
The more than 20-year company veteran will be responsible for identifying potential business opportunities with the departments of Defense and Homeland Security in his new position, Airbus said Wednesday.
The defense and space segment Emerson now leads will absorb U.S. government and military programs, which include the UH-72A Lakota twin-engine aircraft, from the helicopter unit.
Between 2003 and 2010, he served as Airbus’ chief financial officer with responsibility over its partnership with Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) for the U.S. Air Force’s refueling tanker competition.
He also held senior vice president and marketing leadership roles within the company.
