Top Chicago Area Corporate Board Adds New Director: DHR International Completes Search for Sparton Corporation

CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Global executive search firm DHR International is pleased to announce the completion of the search for Independent Director of Sparton Corporation (NYSE: SPA).  Mr. Charles R. Kummeth of Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO) was placed by John McLean, Executive Vice President in DHR's Chicago headquarters.  

In October 2011 Sparton Corporation was recognized as having one of the top ten local corporate boards by Crain's Chicago Business based primarily on long-term shareholder returns of 67% over the past three years.  As expected, when Sparton announced that it was embarking on a search for a new independent Director to the Board, expectations for candidates were high.

Mr. James Swartwout, Chairman of the Board, said, "John McLean was selected to conduct the search for a new Director for Sparton Corporation.  Working with the selection criteria provided by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Sparton Board, John very quickly developed a list of several highly qualified candidates who met the criteria, leading to the selection of a new director ahead of the target timeline."

Mr. Kummeth is currently president of the Global Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Division of Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) and was previously president of the firm's Laboratory Consumables Division. Mr. Kummuth has worked in the industrial, semiconductor, scientific, and healthcare industries for 30 years, including 24 years at 3M. His initial work was on data storage devices; an early project was helping Apple with peripheral solutions for the first Macintosh computer. Later, he managed 3M's International Mergers and Acquisitions group and was vice president of the Electronics Materials and Medical Products divisions. He spent three years in Europe as the head of 3M's industrial businesses and also served as managing director of the company's UK/Ireland subsidiary. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Software Design and Engineering, and an MBA from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.

Mr. Swartwout said, "We are very pleased with the addition of Chuck Kummeth to Sparton's Board of Directors. His extensive skills in strategic planning, business development and operational oversight in a large public company setting, in addition to his marquee affiliation with the Medical and Industrial industries, will enable him to provide the Board with valuable insight as Sparton continues to execute on its strategic growth plan."

About Sparton Corporation
For over a century, Sparton has been an industry leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing some of the world's most complex electronics and electromechanical devices.

For over 20 years DHR International has been a leading, privately held provider of executive search solutions with more than 50 wholly-owned offices spanning the globe.  DHR's renowned consultants specialize in all industries and functions in order to provide unparalleled senior-level executive search, management assessment and succession planning services tailored to the unique qualities and specifications of our select client base.  For more information on DHR International, a "Top 5" executive search firm, visit www.dhrinternational.com.

SOURCE DHR International