ST. LOUIS, April 14, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] has named retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong vice president, Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) - Middle East.
DeLong will be responsible for maintaining strategic relationships with key defense and industrial partners in the Middle East region. He will focus on major business development initiatives and sales campaigns in the Gulf Cooperative Council while working with the IDS team to develop markets throughout the region.
"Mike's decades of experience and service make him ideal to represent Boeing in the Middle East," said Mark Kronenberg, vice president, IDS International Business Development.
Prior to retiring from the Marine Corps in 2003, DeLong was deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), where he helped lead U.S. and coalition forces in conceiving and implementing operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
During his 36-year Marine Corps career, DeLong served in every U.S. military campaign and commanded the Marine Corps Fighter Weapons School and 3 Marine Air Wing.
DeLong's personal decorations include two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Defense Superior Service Medals, two awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Medals, an Air Medal with Flight Strike Numerals 69, a Navy Achievement Medal and a Combat Action Ribbon. He logged more than 5,600 flight hours in many types of aircraft, and more than 800 combat hours.
DeLong also served as the executive vice president of Shaw Group International; the president of Shaw CENTCOM Services, LLC; the vice chairman of Shaw Arabia Ltd.; the vice chairman of Shaw Kuwait Ltd.; a four-year member of the board of directors of Sykes Enterprises, Tampa, Fla.; and a member of the board of directors of AE Biofuels, Cupertino, Calif.
DeLong holds a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science degree from Central Michigan University and an honorary Ph.D. from the Joint Military Intelligence College.