Boeing

Boeing's Pat Finneran Awarded Navy League Nimitz Award

The Navy League of the United States presented Patrick J. Finneran, Jr., vice president and general manager of Boeing [NYSE:BA] Aerospace Support, with the prestigious Chester W. Nimitz Award last night at a formal dinner during its annual Sea-Air-Space 2004 conference.

The award honors an industry leader who has made a major contribution to America's maritime strength and/or enhanced its national security. In choosing the Nimitz Award recipient, the Navy League selects the person who best exemplifies the leadership, statesmanship and dedication to the U.S. as exhibited by the award's namesake, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

"Pat is a natural leader, innovator and patriot," said John Lockard, Boeing senior vice president, Naval Systems. "He is an outstanding representative of the characteristics the Chester W. Nimitz Award was designed to honor."

During a notable 20-year U.S. Marine Corps career, Finneran earned the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Meritorius Service Medal with gold star, Navy Commendation with valor and gold star, Navy Achievement medal and numerous campaign medals.

Retiring from the Marine Corps in 1987 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Finneran continued his support of the U.S. military when he began a second career in the aerospace industry with Boeing.

Finneran recently was named vice president and general manager of Aerospace Support after successfully leading the Naval Aircraft Programs where he was responsible for the F/A-18, AV-8B Harrier, T-45 Goshawk, Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft and V-22 Osprey programs and supported the CH-46 and E6A programs.

Under Finneran's leadership the F/A-18 program was awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy for the most significant accomplishment in aeronautics and astronautics for 1999.

"Pat continues to apply his talent, warfighter insight, and leadership skills in providing our men and women of the United States Navy and Marine Corps with the best possible weapons for the defense of our nation," said Lockard.

The Sea-Air-Space 2004 conference is taking place at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC from April 6 to April 8, 2004.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.

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For further information:
Madonna Walsh
Naval Systems
mobile: (314) 705-0717
Tom LaRock
Aerospace Support
(314) 232-0201