EADS North America names Michael Cosentino as Senior Vice President, Strategy and Development

EADS North America has appointed Michael Cosentino to be Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy and Development. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s future strategy for growth, as well as leading the mergers, acquisitions, and business development functions at EADS North America.

“We are pleased to have Mike Cosentino lead our strategy and business development efforts,” said Sean O’Keefe, Chief Executive Officer of EADS North America. “Mike demonstrated tremendous leadership and in-depth knowledge of the U.S. defense market during the recently concluded tanker competition. He will be instrumental in leading our new business capture efforts, as well as guiding a merger and acquisition strategy necessary to meet the company’s growth targets.”

Cosentino joined EADS North America in April 2009 as Senior Vice President and Tanker Program Manager. In this role, he led the company’s KC-45 team as it competed as prime contractor for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation aerial refueling tanker.

Prior to joining EADS North America, Cosentino was the General Manager of Global Military Aircraft Systems, LLC, a joint venture between Alenia North America and L-3 Communications Integrated Systems for the U.S. Army Joint Cargo Aircraft program. He also was the Chief Executive Officer of AgustaWestland Bell LLC, the joint venture selected to provide the new Marine One Presidential Helicopter.

Cosentino spent 25 years with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics where he held various technical and program management positions in support of military aircraft weapon systems. Cosentino led and participated on multidisciplinary program teams in development and production, through military and civil certification, on a variety of aircraft including F-35, YF-22/F-22, and the C-130H/J. His last position with Lockheed Martin was as International Programs Director for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Cosentino earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1980.