Defense contractor BAE Systems has promoted internally after an extensive search to replace corporate communications VP Robert Hastings, who left the company earlier this year for a top public affairs slot at the Pentagon.
Lucy Fitch |
Lucy Fitch, a former journalist who has been VP of M&A at BAE, was named to the VP/corporate comms. role following a search process. She joined the $9 billion company in 2000 and headed M&A through its landmark $4.2 billion acquisition of United Defense in 2005.
Fitch started her career as a business journalist for Washington Technology, New Technology Week and the American City Business Journals group. In 1993, she moved on to defense industry contractors like Hughes Aircraft Corp. (now Raytheon), ManTech Systems Solutions and Lockheed Martin.
Hastings was named principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs earlier this year, serving as a staff advisor and assistant to the Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense for public information, internal information, and community relations. Hasting, a retired PAO for the Army, leads a worldwide public affairs unit of about 3,800 military and civilian personnel. |