Lisa Atherton joined Textron Defense Systems in 2007 and held a number of leadership positions within Military Programs at Bell since transitioning to the company in 2013.
Textron Inc., the multinational aerospace and defense company, has announced that Lisa Atherton will become the new president and CEO of its Bell segment, effective April 28, 2023. Atherton, currently the Chief Operating Officer of Bell, will succeed Mitch Snyder, who is retiring after more than seven years as president and CEO of Bell, and almost 20 years with the company.
Atherton served as president and CEO of Textron Systems from 2017 until January 2023, when she became the COO of Bell. She joined Textron Defense Systems in 2007 and held several leadership positions within Military Programs at Bell since transitioning to the company in 2013. A graduate of the U.S. At The Air Force Academy, she served eight years at the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command’s Directorate of Requirements.
Scott C. Donnelly, Textron chairman & CEO, said, “Lisa has done an outstanding job of building strong teams at Bell and Textron Systems in her 16 years with the company and has earned the confidence of our customers. Under her leadership, Bell will continue its strong execution across military and commercial programs and I am confident that she will provide the strategic vision to generate future growth for Bell. I also want to thank Mitch for his leadership. During his tenure, Mitch oversaw the development of new technologies and product innovations, significant wins in Bell’s military business, and the expansion of our commercial programs.”
The announcement comes at a time when Bell is working on a number of high-profile projects, including the development of the Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor aircraft for the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program. Bell has also been awarded a contract to develop a new helicopter for the U.S. Navy’s Advanced Helicopter Training System program, as well as working on the Bell 525 Relentless, a medium-lift helicopter aimed at the offshore oil and gas market.
Atherton’s experience in defense and aerospace, combined with her tenure at Textron, positions her well to lead the Bell segment into its next phase of growth and innovation. She is expected to build upon the strong foundation laid by her predecessor and continue to advance Bell’s military and commercial programs.
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Textron Inc. is a $13.6 billion company with a global presence in over 25 countries, providing innovative solutions and technologies in aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, and advanced technologies. Bell, a subsidiary of Textron, is a leading producer of vertical lift aircraft and rotorcraft, including the iconic Bell Huey helicopter.
