SHEPHARD GIRION JOINS AITECH AS
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

Chatsworth, CA, May 2005 – Aitech Defense Systems, Inc., a world leader in the development and manufacture of board and subsystem level products for harsh environment defense, aerospace and space applications, has announced that Shephard Girion has joined the company as vice president of programs. Reporting directly to the CEO, Girion will oversee the company’s program management process to ensure the successful cost, scheduling, and technical performance of Aitech’s clients’ programs. This will include budget development, contract negotiation, subcontract management, and program control, from the proposal stage through contract completion.

Roger Rowe, Aitech president and CEO, commented, “Our customers will benefit immensely from Shephard’s extensive program management experience in military applications. He has managed both internal and external resources, including engineering and manufacturing staff, subcontractors, and other parties involved in a program. We’re fortunate to have such a renowned and talented professional joining our team.”

Most recently, Girion was director of program management for Curtiss-Wright Controls where he managed development and manufacturing programs totaling $30 million. Previously, he was program manager at Orbital Sciences Corporation, where he led the transition of the full-scale engineering development of the U.S. Army Chemical and Biological Mass Spectrometer.

Through a contract with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Girion served as program manger of the $8 million Chemical and Biological Mass Spectrometer (CBMS) Block II program for the US Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command. (SBCCOM). While working with SBCCOM, Girion helped to develop new target platforms for the CBMS Block II. He also worked as program manager of the $40 million multiple agent Chemical and Biological Detection System for the US Army Chemical Biological Defense Command (CBDCOM).

Other notable programs in which Girion has played a crucial management role include the Advanced Integrated Chemical Protection System for the US Army CBDCOM; the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle NBC Filtration System for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Defense Systems; and the Turret System Electronics Unit, Autoloader Controller, and Replinisher Controller for the Mobile Gun System Variant of US Army Stryker IAV (interim armored vehicle).

Girion holds a BS in Applied Mathematics and an MBA from California State University.