Retired commodore brings extensive operational experience and strategic expertise to new role

Ottawa, ON, August 15, 2012 — General Dynamics Canada has announced that Kelly Williams, a former commodore in the Royal Canadian Navy, will join the company September 4 as senior director of strategy and government relations.

Williams brings to this role extensive operational experience gained from over 36 years of service, including two extended Persian Gulf deployments. Additionally, Williams served with the U.S. Navy and as the Canadian Defence Advisor to the Canadian High Commissioner in the United Kingdom.

“I am pleased that Kelly has joined the General Dynamics team,” said David Ibbetson, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Canada. “His broad experience operationally and in the development of strategic programs will enhance our ability to work alongside our customers and support them as they execute missions in Canada and around the world.”

Williams' operational expertise is complemented by significant experience at the National Defence Headquarters Ottawa focused on strategy, policy and capability development. He has served as assistant chief of Maritime Staff as well as the director of maritime strategy, where he was responsible for future maritime force development and was a principal contributor to the development of maritime security elements of Canada's National Security Policy. In 2005 Williams was seconded to chief of the defence staff to assist in the development of the new Defence Policy Statement. As a result of his work there, Williams was appointed director of general strategy and charged with the strategic guidance and coordination for the Canadian Forces and the development of the Canada First Defence Strategy.

Williams is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Staff College and has completed a Master's in Business Administration (MBA).

For more information about General Dynamics Canada, please visit www.gdmissionsystems.ca.

More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.

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