In his new position Downey will oversee communications and community relations activities for the corporation's tactical aircraft division in St. Louis, helicopter systems in Mesa, Ariz., and space and defense systems in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Prior to his Long Beach assignment, Downey served as manager of communications in the McDonnell Douglas Washington, D.C., office. He began his career with McDonnell Douglas in 1986 as a writer in the communications department of McDonnell Aircraft Co. He served in communications positions on the AV-8B Harrier II and the F/A-18 Hornet, and business development assignments on both the F/A-18 and F-15 programs. He also worked on Capitol Hill and has served as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves.