ROCKVILLE, Md. - BAE Systems has announced the appointment of Bill Clifford as president of BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. In this role, he will provide leadership and overall management of ship repair services to the U.S. Navy, other government agencies, and commercial customers. Clifford will be responsible for leading the largest non-nuclear ship repair company in the Norfolk area.

"I am pleased and excited to have Bill join us at this crucial time. Those who know him realize he brings lots of energy, expertise and integrity with him," said Alex Krekich, president of BAE Systems Ship Repair. "Bill is no stranger to the Norfolk waterfront and ship repair market. He had a long, distinguished career in the Navy including a tour as Ship Superintendent at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. I very much look forward to working with Bill to ensure the future success of our business and our customers."

Clifford brings 36 years of experience in ship repair. Most recently, Clifford served as president of BAE Systems Hawaii Shipyards at Pearl Harbor and led acquisition activity there in early 2004. Prior to that, Clifford was president and managing partner of Pacific Shipyards International in Honolulu from 2001-2004.

Previously Clifford served as vice president of New Construction at Atlantic Marine in Jacksonville, Florida. He also served as director of Ship Completion at Bath Iron Works.

Clifford holds a bachelor's degree from the U. S. Naval Academy and a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. He is also a graduate of the Navy's Deep Sea Diving and Salvage School. Most notably Clifford served as one of the Navy's diving and salvage officers during recovery operations for the Air Florida Flight 90 which crashed in the Potomac River in the winter of 1982, and was a member of the search and recovery operation for Korean Airline Flight 007 in the Sea of Japan in 1983 while serving as the Pacific Fleet diving and salvage officer.

About BAE Systems:

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defense systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs nearly 100,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately $25 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.