• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Smith & Wesson Names Retired Naval Commander David P. Holt as Vice President of Military Programs

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 May 2009, 07:00 CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 157-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, today announced that it has named Retired Navy Commander David P. Holt as Vice President of Military Programs. Holt will be responsible for all of Smith & Wesson's United States military programs, business development, strategic direction, and resources.

Holt, 53, has amassed more than 30 years of experience in key leadership positions in both the private business sector and the United States Navy. Prior to retiring from the Navy with the rank of Commander, Holt's 20-plus year naval career included five flying tours including squadron command as well as four key assignments in the Pentagon covering all facets of requirements, acquisition and program planning, budgeting and execution.

Michael F. Golden, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, said, "David is a highly seasoned veteran who has built his knowledge of federal government and military requirements, capabilities, and the procurement process over an accomplished career that includes a number of leadership positions both in the field and in the Pentagon. His first-hand knowledge and experience, as well as his history working at the most senior levels in Washington, is an excellent fit with our strategy to grow the federal government and military portions of our business."

Most recently, Holt served as Vice President, Requirements Support for Whitney, Bradley & Brown, Inc., a defense consulting firm that provides expertise in war fighter support, acquisition support, and strategic planning for clients in the Federal Government, Department of Defense and private industry. Holt's work at Whitney, Bradley & Brown specialized in identifying and articulating required capabilities under the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS). He was instrumental in developing capability and acquisition roadmaps methodologies for the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

Holt began his career with the United States Navy in 1981 and held numerous leadership positions as he developed his expertise in Airborne Mine Warfare. In 1996, he became the Director of Airborne Mine Warfare Programs for the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Staff in the Pentagon. In 2000, he assumed command of the Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School at the Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia. His final assignment in the Navy was to serve as Helicopter Requirements Officer for the CNO Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Over the course of his Naval career, he amassed over 3,300 career pilot flight hours in the CH-53E and MH-53E helicopters, retiring in 2002 with the rank of Commander.

Holt graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and Marketing from Florida Southern College and is a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College - Program Management Course.

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a global leader in safety, security, protection and sport, is parent company to Smith & Wesson Corp., one of the world's largest manufacturers of quality firearms and firearm safety/security products and parent company to Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting rifles, black powder rifles, interchangeable firearms systems and accessories under the Thompson/Center brand. Smith & Wesson licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Springfield, Houlton, Maine, and Rochester, New Hampshire. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America's longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to www.tcarms.com.

Industry Contact: Matt Rice Blue Heron Communications (800) 654-3766 matt@blueheroncomm.com Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (480) 949-9700 x. 115 lsharp@smith-wesson.com

SOURCE Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category