(BLACK PR WIRE)--HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Judy Smith, vice president of business development for ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS) Information Systems division, has been appointed to the board of directors of Women in Aerospace (WIA). WIA is a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to expanding women’s leadership opportunities and visibility in the global aerospace community.

Smith brings to the respected industry advocacy group more than 30 years’ experience in key management, advisory and leadership positions providing support to agencies within the Department of Defense. In her current role with Exelis – the diversified, global aerospace, defense and information solutions company recently spun off from ITT Corporation – Smith identifies and qualifies new business opportunities for the company’s Information Systems division. An $800 million operating division of Exelis, Information Systems provides advanced engineering services and integrated network solutions to a variety of government, civil and commercial customers.

Prior to joining Exelis, Smith held leadership positions at Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, GTE and Booz Allen Hamilton. Additionally, she was the managing partner for OnPoint Consulting.

“Judy’s legacy of leadership in executive-level strategy, information technology solutions and new business ventures for some of the aerospace industry’s biggest names makes her a terrific addition to WIA’s board of directors,” said Michael R. Wilson, president of Information Systems. “And her personal commitment to mentoring, community involvement and continuing education is admirable. Judy’s keen understanding of space and defense policy, players and priorities promises to benefit WIA’s important mission in the same way it’s helping support business-growth objectives at Exelis.”

Smith received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, a master’s degree in computer science from the Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA from the University of Baltimore. She has also completed several telecommunications management courses at the University of Maryland. She is black belt trained in Lean Six Sigma. She is a member of several boards and has been the recipient of several awards for mentoring and community involvement.

Her two-year appointment to the WIA board of directors is effective January 2012.

About ITT Exelis Information Systems

Headquartered in Herndon, Va., the ITT Exelis Information Systems division has a strong heritage of applying highly specialized talent to provide customers with innovative solutions for their most critical missions, including the defense and intelligence, air traffic management, space and earth science, and homeland defense markets.

About ITT Exelis

ITT Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense and information solutions company with strong positions in enduring and emerging global markets. Exelis is a leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems with growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, logistics and technical services. The company has a 50-year legacy of innovation and technology expertise, partnering with customers worldwide to deliver affordable, mission-critical products and services for managing global threats, conflicts and complexities. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 21,000 people and generated 2010 revenue of $5.9 billion. www.exelisinc.com  

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