MDS News Release – Leadership Transition
Ottawa, Dec. 16, 2014 – Kevin Fitzgerald, CEO of MDS, announced today he will retire from the role of President and CEO at the end of this year, after fulfilling his promise to the management team of guiding the leadership transition since the purchase by the internal management group 12 months ago. In line with MDS’ succession plan, the Board of Directors announced that John Jastremski, Senior Vice President, Business Development, a trusted and long time veteran of the executive leadership team of the company will become President and CEO effective 1 January 2015.
“The leadership team has the experience, the know-how and the determination to ensure the continued growth of the company,” added Mr. Fitzgerald. “I am very proud of the team and am confident that our customers and our employees are in great hands. I will continue to support the organization by serving on the Board of Directors. It is with great satisfaction that I pass the future of the company and its operations to John and our competent and committed leadership team. They are deserving of our trust and are the innovative future of the company.”
“I am honored to have this opportunity to lead MDS during the next phase of its’ evolution.” said Jastremski. “The incredible talent and passion of the MDS team combined with our world class customer base provides us with a great opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of gas turbine testing technologies. I look forward to building on the strong foundation we have built under Kevin’s’ leadership as we continue to develop innovative product and service solutions to drive long term sustainability and profitable growth for our customers”
Effective 1 January 2015, Joe Hajjar, Vice President Business Development, will join the Company Executive Leadership Team and assume the global function for Business Development for the organization previously held by John Jastremski.
“MDS has been a big part of my life for the past 15 years, and during this period I have seen our family grow to a world class corporation.” said Hajjar. “We have solved complex problems, and developed innovative solutions that have helped shape engine testing technologies for our customers. I am honored to have been asked to join the executive leadership team and to play a role in shaping the future of our organization.”
The MDS Executive Leadership team includes:
- John Jastremski, New President and Chief Executive Officer
- Simon Arbuthnot, Chief Operating Officer
- Wayne Penney, Chief Financial Officer
- Joe Hajjar, Vice President, Business Development
- Carole Morris, Director Human Resources
Founded in 1985, MDS is the preeminent supplier of turnkey test facilities, test systems and service solutions for the aviation, industrial, and marine gas turbine engine community. MDS is proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.
For further information:
Sarah Baldwin 613.744.5794 X 2288
Email: sarah.baldwin@mdsaero.com
