09 Jan 2003
BAE Systems North America has announced the appointment of Sheila C. Cheston as Corporate Vice President and General Counsel with responsibility for the company's legal affairs. She succeeds John Currier, who has served as Corporate Vice President and General Counsel of BAE Systems North America since its formation, who has announced his retirement.
"I am delighted that Sheila has joined BAE Systems," said Mark Ronald, President and CEO of BAE Systems North America. "As our outside legal counsel, Sheila has been a valuable asset to this company for a number of years. Her proven track record, significant expertise in acquisition and mergers, and years of experience at senior levels of the U.S. government will strengthen our ability to successfully grow BAE Systems business in the United States."
Cheston joins BAE Systems from the Washington, D.C., law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering, where she served as chair of the firm's Aviation and Defense practice, and represented BAE Systems during several acquisition initiatives over the past years, including the 2000 acquisitions of Lockheed Martin Control Systems and Lockheed Martin Aerospace Electronic Systems. During the 1990's, Cheston held key legal positions in the Government including General Counsel of the United States Air Force and Special Associate Counsel to the President of the United States.
Cheston holds a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and received her Juris Doctor degree from the Columbia University School of Law. She will be based at BAE Systems North America's corporate headquarters in Rockville, Maryland.
