LINTHICUM, Md., Nov. 5, 2009 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has hired Chris Foster as business development executive for its Information Security Solutions (ISS) business.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091105/NE05441 )

In this role, Foster leads Raytheon’s business development efforts for its rapidly growing cybersecurity business, which provides full-spectrum systems to protect customers’ critical information networks and infrastructures from the most complex threats.

"Chris’ strong technical and managerial background will be a great addition to the cybersecurity team," said Steve Hawkins, vice president of ISS at Raytheon. "His wide-ranging experience in both government and the commercial sector will be invaluable."

Foster joins Raytheon from Northrop Grumman Corporation, where he was responsible for business development and strategic partnerships for the Government Systems division. In that position, he created long-range strategic plans, achieved acquisition goals and helped develop IT Infrastructure initiatives for several North African nations, including national infrastructure and enterprise applications. He also supported homeland defense programs, including nationwide biosurveillance, net-centric chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear explosives solutions and counter-proliferation initiatives.

Before that, as the State of Maryland’s deputy secretary of business and economic development, Foster served as the state’s "tech czar," in which he managed the early-seed stage venture fund, coordinated overall research initiatives and advised the state’s leadership on science and technology investments and strategy.

Foster has an applied scientist degree in electrical engineering, a master’s in applied physics and a master’s in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is based in Raytheon’s Linthicum, Md., office.

Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) is a leading provider of intelligence and information solutions, specializing in ground processing, unmanned ground systems, cybersecurity solutions, homeland security and other markets to resolve the most complex problems for its customers worldwide. IIS had 2008 revenues of $3.1 billion and employs more than 9,000 engineering and technical professionals worldwide.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

    Contact:
    Keith Little
    703.849.1675

SOURCE Raytheon Company