Robert Whelen of Harris Corporation Named 'Champion of Change' by Obama Administration

MELBOURNE, Fla., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert G. (Bob) Whelen, vice president of Real Estate and Environmental, Health and Safety for Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), was honored by the White House recently as a Champion of Change – a program that is part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative.  Each week, the program features a group of Americans, businesses or organizations who embody the ideals of 'out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world.'

Whelen and 11 other Brevard County business and community leaders nominated by the Administration were selected to participate in a roundtable discussion on the impact of the retirement of the Space Shuttle on the Space Coast economy, and actions by the Administration that would help mitigate this economic impact. The event was held at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation facility.

Each of Brevard's Champions of Change also will be featured on the White House website May 9-15, where they will post a short blog about the work they are doing in the community and their experience as a member of the roundtable.

According to Whelen, roundtable participants encouraged the Administration to leverage the existing capabilities of the Kennedy Space Center and the high-tech workforce of the Space Coast to include research and development, engineering, manufacturing, and expanding launch capabilities at KSC.  This would serve as an economic engine for the region, affording the United States a more cost-effective space program that also would attract new businesses in non-space, high-tech industries. The group also encouraged the Administration to incentivize business to locate, grow and expand on the Space Coast.  

"It was a distinct honor and pleasure to be selected as a Champion of Change," said Whelen, who also serves as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast. "In my role at Harris, I have the opportunity to visit many communities and establish business operations around the world.  Nowhere else but on the Space Coast have I witnessed a community so determined to succeed – to overcome challenges and emerge stronger than ever."

Whelen has been very active in economic development activities in the U.S. and internationally throughout his career.  He is a chemical engineering graduate from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  His photo is available at: Robert G. Whelen.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $6 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

SOURCE Harris Corporation