Ovadia Harari, Executive Vice President for Operations at Israel Aircraft Industries' (IAI) has announced his decision to retire from the company. The decision was presented to Yair Shamir, IAI's Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Harari said: "I have been privileged to be closely involved in many processes and systems developed at IAI. The company has been my second home for 36 years and I have always taken great pride in contributing to Israel's security and economic well-being."
Yair Shamir, IAI's Chairman of the Board, said: "Ovadia is a central pillar of IAI. The Board and I recognize his contributions and we wish him all the best."
Moshe Keret, IAI's President & CEO, said: "Ovadia Harari has excelled in every position he held at IAI and he symbolizes a generation of engineers. His creativity, dedication and professionalism have played an immeasurable role in improving IAI's competitiveness."
Mr. Harari joined Israel Aircraft Industries in 1970. Between 1975 and 1987 he held several positions in the "Lavi" fighter aircraft program, including Task Force Head, Program Manager and Chief Engineer. Other positions include: Lahav Division General Manager (1987-1992); MLM Division General Manager (1992-1994); Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group (1994-1997); Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (1997-2005). He was appointed acting CEO in November 2005.
Ovadia Harari is best known for his role in the "Lavi" program where he was Program Manager and Chief Engineer. Four prototype aircraft were manufactured and two successfully flown before the Government of the State of Israel cancelled the program in 1987. Mr. Harari later became General Manager of the MLM Division, manufacturer of the Arrow Weapon System. He has played a leading role in improving IAI's efficiency, implementing "Lean Thinking" and "Kaisen" management methodologies. Mr. Harari was also an early advocate for the development and growth of the roles played by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Ovadia Harari is the recipient of two Israel National Defense Awards (1969 and 1975) and an Israel National Award for Technology and Engineering (1987). He holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from the INSEAD business school, France.
For further information, please contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corporate VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
e-mail: hpaz@iai.co.il