By David Pearson
PARIS--French military and business jet maker Dassault Aviation (AM.FR) on Tuesday named Eric Trappier, who has played a big role in negotiating foreign contracts, to be its next chief executive officer.
Mr. Trappier will take over from Charles Edelstenne, who retires early next month when he turns 75, the mandatory retirement age. The company's board also decided that Mr. Trappier will be assisted by Loik Segalen as chief operating officer.
Like Mr. Edelstenne, Mr. Trappier has spent his entire career at Dassault, the builder of the Rafale multi-role combat aircraft and Falcon corporate jets. He is currently the company's executive vice president for international affairs, spearheading Dassault's tricky negotiations with foreign governments for sales of military aircraft.
Mr. Segolen joined Dassault in 1986 and is currently head of the company's economic and social affairs.
The appointment of two senior executives from within the company signals that the board wants to maintain a certain continuity with the style of Mr. Edelstenne, who has headed the company since 2000.
-Write to David Pearson at david.pearson@dowjones.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 18, 2012 08:18 ET (13:18 GMT)
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