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San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp. announced this morning the retirement of its CEO Kenneth Dahlberg, who has been with the company since November 2003. "Consistent with the company's mandatory retirement policy for executive officers," Dahlberg will step down effective September 20, the science and technology contractor said in a statement. SAIC also confirmed Walter Havenstein, outgoing CEO of Rockville-based defense contractor BAE Systems, will take his place. BAE first announced the move yesterday, as you may have read in today's Post story. Under Dahlberg's leadership, SAIC transitioned from employee-owned to publicly traded and grew its annual revenues to $10 billion. SAIC is one of the region's biggest employers, with more than 17,000 workers in the Washington area. --Emma L. Carew
Walt Havenstein is stepping down after three years as chief executive of the Rockville-based U.S. arm of British defense contractor BAE to take that position at fellow contractor Science Applications International Corp. Retired Marine Gen. Tony Zinni, former commander in chief of U.S. Central Command, will be interim chief executive and chairman of the board at BAE Systems while the firm searches for a replacement for Havenstein, the company said. Zinni, the former commander in chief of U.S. Central Command, has sat on the board of BAE Systems for five years. Havenstein's resignation is effective Friday, BAE said. San Diego-based SAIC declined to comment on its chief executive position. Kenneth Dahlberg, 64, has been its chief executive since November 2003, led the company's transition from employee-owned to publicly traded, and grew its revenue to $10.07 billion. SAIC is one of the area's biggest employers, with more than 17,000 workers in
Six Flags filed for bankruptcy protection over the weekend, and shareholders including Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder and Bill Gates's Cascade Investment are likely to see their shares wiped out, according to a bankruptcy expert. Snyder has chaired the company since winning a proxy fight with Gates's support in 2005, and he owns about 6 percent of the shares. Those shares are likely to be worthless as the company pays off more senior creditors in anticipation of issuing new shares. The chief executive of Gannett is taking a temporary medical leave of absence, the company said. Gannett, which is based in McLean and publishes USA Today, said that Craig Dubow, who also serves as the company's chairman and president, is taking time off following back surgery. Gracia C. Martore, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will serve as the company's principal executive officer until Dubow returns to work,
Chindex International said this morning that fourth-quarter profit rose more than 70 percent, and it swung to a profit for the quarter. Fiscal 2009 revenue and profit were also up, as the Bethesda company sold more medical products and provided more health-care services in its market of China. Shares are up about 18 percent on the news so far today, trading around $12.70 as of 12:45 p.m. They went as high as $14.20 earlier today after closing yesterday at $10.79.