Dr. James V. French Joins SGT as Vice President for Launch Systems

GREENBELT, Md., May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- SGT, Inc., a leading provider of Engineering, Science, Project Management, and Information Technology services, today announced that Dr. James French joined SGT as Vice President for Launch Systems.  Dr. French joins SGT with a focus on bolstering our engineering work in the Huntsville region.  

"Jim has been influential in aircraft and Space Shuttle programs and has made many contributions throughout his dynamic career," stated CEO and President, Kam Ghaffarian.  "We are thrilled to have him join SGT, as he continues to be a leader in the aerospace community, contributing to the vision for space exploration both through his current work and his support developing the next generation."  

Dr. French has over 40 years experience in systems engineering and program management of propulsion systems for aircraft and space launch systems.  His contributions, during his 30 years with Pratt & Whitney, influenced F-14, F-15, F-16, and F-22 aircraft systems, the Space Shuttle Main Engine, and the RL60 advanced upper stage rocket engine.  As a consultant to NASA contractors from 1999 to 2005, he contributed to program and concept development on projects that have led to the vision for space exploration.  

Prior to joining SGT, he managed ARES Corporation's Huntsville and Tullahoma operations with support to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Defense in many aerospace projects including the Ares I launch vehicle and the Missile Defense Agency.  Dr. French also supported the NASA MSFC STPPO Upper Stage Engine Office with industry readiness for new upper stage assessment.  Under contract to MSFC Nuclear Project Office, he led the systems engineering analysis and definition of a test facility for full-scale nuclear thermal propulsion rocket engines.  

Dr. French holds a Ph.D. and Masters of Engineering Mechanics, and a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Alabama.  He has received several honors throughout the course of his influential career; he has a U.S. Patent for Rotating Stall Recovery and was a University of Alabama Engineering Mechanics Outstanding Fellow (1988). Dr. French continues to teach graduate level propulsion courses at the University of Alabama.

SGT, Inc. is privately held and headquartered in Greenbelt, MD, USA.  SGT, Inc. provides aerospace engineering, earth and planetary science modeling and analysis, information systems, project management, operational support and technical services to NASA, NOAA, USGS, DOD, and various other government and commercial organizations.

Contact: Shelley Johnson
Phone:  301.489.1108
Email:  [email protected]

SOURCE Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies