Press ReleaseEsterline AVISTA Announces Budden as New PresidentLongtime executive, Jim Schneller, retires after 20 years with the companyPLATTEVILLE, Wisconsin – June 18, 2008 – Esterline AVISTA, the U.S. leader in critical systems software engineering services and a subsidiary of Esterline Technologies Corporation [NYSE: ESL], named Tim Budden its new president, beginning July 1. A longtime senior executive with Esterline AVISTA, Budden replaces Jim Schneller, who is retiring after more than 20 years with the company. "Esterline AVISTA is in a strong place in the market and this is a good time to transition to new leadership," says Frank Houston, group vice president of Esterline Technologies Corporation. "Tim brings tremendous strategic and technical expertise in critical systems software development to lead the company during an exciting time in the aerospace and defense industries. He will drive the company to new levels of quality and excellence, continuing our high standards for service and responsiveness—and the solid foundation Jim Schneller developed—that have made this company the market leader." Commenting on his new appointment, Budden said: "While it is never easy replacing a successful and capable leader, such as Jim Schneller, I'm very honored to take the reins at Esterline AVISTA. The aerospace and defense industries continue to grow, and software is playing a more critical role in new and legacy aircraft, as well as other critical systems. Esterline AVISTA's long history in U.S.-based software development services, and our large team of full-time DO-178B certification experts, leaves the company well-positioned to capitalize on future opportunities." Budden brings more than 20 years of avionics, medical device and government/military software development experience to his new position as president of the Esterline subsidiary. He has been driving technology and service strategy, as well as working very closely with all of Esterline AVISTA's software clients, during the last four years in his previous role as vice president of engineering. He joined the company in 1990 as a programs manager, after working with McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) in St. Louis. Budden has a Bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Notre Dame. About AVISTA |