PARIS – Thales has appointed Philippe Logak as interim chairman and chief executive until Dassault and the French government reach an agreement on a long-term appointment, the defense electronics company said on Thursday.
"On the proposal of the French state and Dassault Aviation, the board of directors has appointed Philippe Logak as acting chairman and chief executive officer of Thales until the final decision is taken," the company said in a statement.
Logak, who joined Thales in 2013 as general secretary, is a graduate of the elite university école polytechnique and served in the Direction Générale de l'Armament procurement office.
Dassault is seeking to have Pierre-Eric Pommellet, head of defense mission systems for Thales, to ascend to the top job, while the government prefers Chief Operating Officer Patrice Caine, afternoon daily Le Monde reported.
Pommellet works closely with Dassault as Thales supplies the active electronically scanned array radar and other key systems on the Rafale jet. Dassault is prime contractor on the fighter.
The government holds 26.39 percent of Thales, while Dassault holds 25.3 percent.
The Thales board of directors paid tribute to the outgoing chairman, Jean-Bernard Levy, for "the implementation of a shared strategic ambition in order to return to profitable growth." The board also praised Levy's pursuit of emerging markets and the results in financial performance.
Levy has moved to be chairman of utility company Electricité de France.
Thales reported 2013 sales of €14.2 billion (US $17.7 billion) and employs 65,000 staff in 56 countries. ■
Email: ptran@defensenews.com.
