EADS North America announced that it has further integrated and expanded the company's Space and related product activities in the U.S., supporting government agencies, private sector customers and academia. The line of business (LOB) will be led by John Schumacher, who will serve as Vice President, Space line of business.

"John Schumacher brings decades of demonstrated leadership in developing and growing world-class cooperative programs in Space-based research, exploration, human Space flight, and communications, as well as formulating government policy related to this key area of aerospace and defense," said Sean O'Keefe, CEO of EADS North America.

"John will take the lead in expanding EADS' U.S. presence and in leveraging the company's broad Space product and technology offerings to meet the needs of our U.S. customers."

The U.S. line of business will draw on ASTRIUM, EADS' Space division, and its vast capabilities, products and services. ASTRIUM is one of the world's largest Space providers, supporting globally recognized customers and projects including Ariane, the Automated Transfer Vehicle and the Columbus modules of the International Space Station, Envisat, Helios, the French deterrence force and Skynet 5.

Prior to joining EADS North America, Mr. Schumacher was the Vice President of Washington Operations for Aerojet General Corporation, responsible for leading and expanding Aerojet's activities with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other U.S. government, civilian and military customers.

Mr. Schumacher spent nearly 25 years in government service. He was Chief of Staff at NASA during a fundamental redirection of America's Space program and the agency's return to human Space flight following the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003.

He previously served as NASA's Associate Administrator for External Relations, where he led the agency's efforts to expand cooperative programs in science, technology and human Space flight with partners across the globe.

Mr. Schumacher graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a commissioned officer. He also received a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia University in New York City and an advanced degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. His awards include Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank (Distinguished and Meritorious); NASA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal; and the Department of Defense Legion of Merit.

Additionally, EADS North America has named Dr. Reinhold Lutz as special advisor to support the Space LOB's marketing, business development and product introduction efforts.

"I also am very pleased to welcome Reinhold Lutz to the EADS North America team. His background in Space-related engineering, business and strategy will be critical in advancing our business goals here in the U.S. market," said Sean O'Keefe.

Dr. Lutz served as ASTRIUM's head of corporate executive strategy and business development, as well as managing director of ASTRIUM GmbH in Ottobrunn, Germany. In this position he had oversight of all business operations while leading a staff of more than 800 employees.

He holds a Doctorate from the University of the German Armed Forces in Munich. He has been published numerous times on the topics of Space-borne imaging instruments and the general theory of oscillators and active filters, and holds patents for Space-borne optoelectronic instruments.

Corinne Kaplan, who previously served as the Vice President for Space, has assumed new responsibilities as Vice President, Affiliate Trade and Export Compliance. Ms. Kaplan developed and led the company's U.S. Space activities beginning in 2003, including building the EADS North America team and capturing the company's first federal contracts in the Space market, while also performing responsibilities in operational support and export control.

In her new role Ms. Kaplan will manage EADS North America's domestic and international affiliate business units in addressing U.S. export laws and regulations.

"Corinne has been instrumental in establishing our U.S. Space footprint and in building recognition of our products and technologies with key customers," said Sean O'Keefe. "Her expertise in export control and ITAR regulations will be essential in achieving further growth."

Ms. Kaplan has more than 25 years of technical and management experience in Space and defense, including strategic development, program management, product marketing and transatlantic cooperation, having held positions in both Europe and in the US.

Ms. Kaplan received a post-graduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nancy and is a magna cum laude graduate of Ecole Nationale d'Electricite et de Mecanique of Nancy, France.