Raytheon Company has appointed Kurt E. Amend as President, Raytheon International, Inc. (RII) in Saudi Arabia.

Amend succeeds Lou Laroche, who will retire at year’s end from the company after nearly 40 years of service.

“Having commemorated our 50th anniversary in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, Raytheon and our Saudi customers have built a strong foundation together to help provide for the safety and security of the Kingdom,” said Thomas A. Vecchiolla, President, RII.

“Kurt has vast experience in the Gulf region, which will serve him well in upholding our commitments to Saudi Arabia, and in partnering on endeavors to support the Kingdom’s 2030 vision,” he added.

“I want to sincerely thank Lou Laroche for his dedicated support of our Saudi customers, and I wish him and his family all the best for the future,” Vecchiolla continued.

With Raytheon since 2011, Amend most recently served as the Vice President of foreign policy and national security affairs in RII. He began his career with the company as an International Business Development Director, later also overseeing the development of the international strategy with regard to government agencies and partnerships.

Prior to joining Raytheon, Amend served as a career Foreign Service Officer for 23 years with the U.S. Department of State in the Middle East, South Asia, and the former Soviet Union.

Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions.

With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.