Arinc names Belcher as chairman

John Belcher was appointed chairman of Arinc Inc. of Annapolis, Md., company executives announced today.

Belcher was appointed at the company's board meeting Feb. 11 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Belcher, an authority in aviation and air traffic services, has served as Arinc's president and chief executive officer since 2002. He succeeds James Pierce as chairman. Pierce is planning to retire.

Belcher came to Arinc in 1997 as president and chief operating officer, following positions as president and CEO of Hughes Aircraft of Canada Ltd., and vice president of Hughes Aircraft Co.

Belcher has served as chairman of the Canadian Advanced Technology Association, and as a director of several national trade associations and aerospace technology companies. He holds a bachelor's degree in applied science from the University of Ottawa, and a postgraduate diploma in communications systems engineering from Queen's University.

Arinc develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government and surface transportation. The company employs more than 3,000 people worldwide. It was ranked No. 26 on Washington Technology's 2003 Top 100 list.