Kurt Amend, formerly vice president of foreign policy and national security affairs at Raytheon‘s international business, has been named president of the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia.
He will succeed Lou Laroche, who is due to retire at the end of this year after a nearly four-decade career with Raytheon, the company said Wednesday.
Amend joined Raytheon in 2011 as an international business development director and helped develop the company’s strategy on government and industry partnerships in the global market.
He previously served as a foreign service officer for State Department programs in the Middle East, South Asia and the former Soviet Union for 23 years before he moved to the private sector.
“Having commemorated our 50th anniversary in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, Raytheon and our Saudi customers have built a strong foundation together to help provide for the safety and security of the Kingdom,” said Thomas Vecchiolla, Raytheon International president and an inductee into Executive Mosaic‘s Wash100 for 2016.
“Kurt has vast experience in the Gulf region, which will serve him well in upholding our commitments to Saudi Arabia, and in partnering on endeavors to support the Kingdom’s 2030 vision,” Vecchiola added.