MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Exelis (NYSE:XLS) Chief Executive Officer and President David F. Melcher has been recognized by the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Council of Trustees as the John W. Dixon Award recipient for 2014.
The John W. Dixon Award is presented annually to “an individual of the industrial community contributing to national defense,” according the AUSA award announcement.
According to the AUSA Council of Trustees, the award was created, “to recognize the unique and direct contributions of American industry to the security of the nation and to honor the partnership between the Army and American industry that has produced the most effective and best equipped land force in history.”
The first-ever John W. Dixon award was presented to its namesake in 1989. Dixon entered the Army during World War II as a private, served two and a half years in combat in Europe, and left the service as a first lieutenant in 1946. The Council of Trustees selected Dixon to recognize, “his many exceptional achievements as a soldier and government official, scholar and academician, industrial executive and public leader,” according to AUSA.
Melcher, who retired as a lieutenant general after 32 years of service, last served as the Army’s military deputy for budget and deputy chief of staff for programs at the Pentagon.
Since leading a spinoff from former parent company ITT Corporation in 2011, Melcher has made Exelis a partner of choice for the Army, empowering Exelis employees to bring efficient, mission-critical capabilities to soldiers on the ground.
Exelis offers decision support solutions, networked communications systems and night vision systems that help soldiers and command center controllers build detailed, data-packed situational awareness for quick, decisive actions. As the single largest producer of high performance night vision products in the world, the Exelis enhanced night vision goggle has made a significant improvement for soldiers operating in dense and complex environments.
Melcher has made supporting warfighters on and off the battlefield part of the Exelis culture. Exelis established an employee volunteer service program in November 2012 to support service members, veterans and their families. The Exelis Action Corps has mobilized thousands of employees, and their friends and family, to give back to those who selflessly serve our nation.
Exelis also recently unveiled its Inclusion and Diversity Council. The employee-driven council helps to establish an inclusive corporate culture by developing leadership competency, increasing employee engagement and building organizational capacity. The council helps others recognize the value our service members bring to the table and is committed to the professional development of our next generation of business leaders.
Melcher will be presented with his award at the Sustaining Members Luncheon of the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition, Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
About Exelis
Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense, information and services company that leverages a 50-year legacy of deep customer knowledge and technical expertise to deliver affordable, mission-critical solutions for global customers. We are a leader in positioning and navigation, sensors, air traffic management solutions, image processing and distribution, communications and information systems; and focused on strategic growth in the areas of critical networks, ISR and analytics, electronic warfare and composite aerostructures. Headquartered in McLean, Va., Exelis employs about 17,000 people and generated 2013 sales of $4.8 billion. For more information, visit our website at www.exelisinc.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
