EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/—A recently retired U.S. Navy rear admiral has joined Wyle Laboratories, Inc., as vice president, developmental systems for the company's Aerospace Group headquartered in Patuxent River, Md.
Charles "Bert" Johnston, a former naval aviator and test pilot, will be responsible for strategic planning and coordination of the Aerospace Group's efforts supporting developmental air vehicles and systems, as well as developing, leading and managing core business strategies and new business initiatives.
Johnston's last tour of duty was as vice commander of the Naval Air Systems Command where he also served as interim commander. Prior to his last assignment at the Naval Air Systems Command, he served as commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division and the Navy's chief test pilot, responsible for flight test policy, procedures and training.
"Bert is a man of great ability," said Brent Bennitt, a Wyle executive vice president who heads the Aerospace Group. "He had choices to consider, and many companies would have been fortunate to have him on board. I am extremely pleased that he has chosen to join Wyle's team."
In the 1990s, Johnston was program manager for Conventional Strike Weapons. Under his leadership the Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) program was awarded the prestigious Daedalian award for program excellence. During his naval career Johnston also served in many capacities including military director for Systems Engineering; military director for Engineering; director Production and Systems, F/A-18 Program; commanding officer, Australian F/A-18 Office; commanding officer of the U. S. Naval Plant Representative Office in Melbourne, Australia; as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center; Branch Head for Strike Aircraft; and as the chief test pilot for Systems Test.
Johnston began his Naval career as an aviator in 1975, flying the A-7 light attack aircraft. He received his Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Mississippi State University, holds a Master of Science in Aeronautical Systems from the University of West Florida and a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering (Avionics) from the Navy Post Graduate School and is a Distinguished Graduate of the U. S. Navy's Test Pilot School.
Wyle Laboratories, Inc., a privately held company, is a leader in aerospace services, life sciences, testing, research, special test systems and other engineering support services to the aerospace, defense, nuclear power, communications and transportation industries.