GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ROBERT N. BAUGNIET

 

SAVANNAH, Ga., August 18, 2009 - Gulfstream Aerospace announced today that Robert Baugniet, director of Corporate Communications, will retire effective Friday, October 9, 2009. Baugniet, who turns 65 in November, joined Gulfstream in 2001.  A search is under way for his successor.

"During the past eight years, Gulfstream Aerospace has introduced seven new products; launched a number of industry-leading product enhancements, including the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and Synthetic Vision – Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD); received the Robert J. Collier Trophy; extended our international presence and participated in more than 50 international business-aviation shows; implemented a significant facilities expansion plan in Savannah; celebrated our 40th anniversary in Savannah and the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Gulfstream I; and continued to grow our award–winning product support network," said Larry Flynn, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Gulfstream Aerospace.

 "Throughout the period, Robert has done an excellent job of managing our corporate communications activities," continued Flynn. "We thank him for his many contributions and wish him, and his family, good health and happiness in his retirement."

Said Baugniet, "I have been fortunate in my 48-year career in both the military and civilian worlds to have worked with an incredible number of professionals, many of whom have become true friends. The folks at General Dynamics and at Gulfstream who have supported me these past eight years are, in my opinion, without equal in the business-aviation industry. It bodes extremely well for the company."

 "A number of positive and major announcements scheduled between now and the end of the year mean my successor will start on a very upbeat note. There’s a lot to be said for that in the current economic environment," Baugniet added.

Prior to joining Gulfstream Aerospace, Baugniet was vice president, Corporate Communications, with Rolls-Royce, the aircraft engine manufacturer, in both the U.S. and Canada. Before joining Rolls-Royce, he worked for 29 years – seven as president – with Berger & Associates, the six-office public relations division of Ogilvy & Mather Canada Advertising. Prior to and during his civilian employment, Baugniet served in Canada’s Navy for 38 years, both active duty and reserve, and rose to command Canada’s Naval Reserve Forces in the rank of Commodore (Rear Admiral, lower half). He relinquished his command when he moved to the U.S. in 1997.

Born and educated in England, Baugniet holds a degree in English and Political Science from Sir George William University, now Concordia University, in Montreal, Canada. He is also a graduate of the National Defense College of Canada’s International Securities Studies program. He is past president of a number of military and professional organizations as well as a member of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Baugniet resides in Savannah. His two grown daughters and his grandchildren live in Toronto, Canada.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced some 1,800 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200®; the new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range G450®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550® and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs approximately 9,000 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,000 people worldwide.  The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.  More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.