The Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA) elects new member to its Board of Directors

IRVINE, Calif., July 7, 2008 –Michael G. Beason, Board Chairman for the Supplier Excellence Alliance (SEA), announced the election of Steve Richards to the SEA Board of Directors. 

Mr. Richards, Director of Procurement, EADS North America Test and Services, Irvine, CA, is a 25-year veteran of the defense and aerospace industry.  He has held increasingly responsible supply chain management positions with Raytheon Company, Parker Aerospace, and EADS North America Test and Services.  Much of Mr. Richard’s career has exemplified his dedication to executing the principles of strategic supplier development, continuous improvement, and lean process applications in both manufacturing and administration.  He has been involved with SEA for over 4 years.

Mr. Richards holds a B.S degree in Supply Chain Management with an emphasis on Operations Management from Arizona State University.  He was named Purchasing Executive of the year by the NAPM-Orange County, CA Chapter and holds a lifetime CPM designation.

Prime empowered and supplier led, SEA is a non-profit alliance of leading industry prime and tier-one contractors and sub-tier production suppliers that is transforming the global supply chain by improving supply chain performance, expanding supplier capabilities and collaboration to produce breakthrough supply chain solutions. 

SEA member companies represented on its board of directors include The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, United Technologies, Inc, Parker Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, Cessna Aircraft Company, Honeywell Aerospace, Hitco Carbon Composites, Dresser-Rand, Roberts Tool Company, Cristek Interconnects, Photo Etch Company, Bodycote Thermal Processing, Esterline Corporation, EADS North America, and DRS Technologies.

SEA sponsors include Mori Seiki, USA, Inc., and IMTS.  SEA partners and alliances include Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG), Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), California Council for Excellence, California Employment Training Panel, California Space Authority, UAW-Labor Employment and Training Corporation, and ASG Renaissance.

Contact: Paul Roelofs (831) 626-2777 or paul@seaonline.org