Sparton President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Toti has retired after leading the company for three years, including the company’s transition to Elbit Systems of America during 2021, Elbit officials announced recently.
Before joining Sparton at its manufacturing facility in DeLeon Springs, Toti had a long career serving in the Navy and private sector. He will stay on for a couple of months to work on some special projects for Elbit Systems of America, then will move on to private life, pursuing his own interests, which are many, according to one official.
Tracy Howard became Sparton’s new president and CEO effective Dec. 8, according to a news release. Howard joins Sparton following his leadership of Leonardo DRS Naval Electronics business as senior vice president and general manager since 2020.
“We congratulate Bill on his retirement, and thank him for his commitment to help ensure Tracy enjoys a seamless transition into his new position,” Raanan Horowitz, president and CEO of Elbit Systems of America, said in the release. “Under Bill’s strong leadership, Sparton has achieved great things, and is poised for an exciting future of growth, as the leading provider of undersea warfare solutions.”
Howard is a retired U.S. Navy submarine officer, with more than 37 years of military and defense-industry experience. Prior to Leonardo DRS, he held multiple senior leadership roles at L3 Harris and General Dynamics Mission Systems business areas.
Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 and later a master’s degree in operations analysis from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
Elbit Systems’ release noted that Howard is also the former commanding officer of nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716), and former commodore of Submarine Squadron 16, where he commanded all of the U.S. Navy’s East Coast guided missile and ballistic missile submarines.
His other military assignments included: serving as the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) Director of Submarine Tactical Systems Integration and Future Capabilities for the Undersea Warfare Systems Directorate (N97); Eastern Europe and Eurasia division chief for the Joint Staff; and Homeland and National Security adviser to the vice president.
“Tracy has deep roots in Sparton’s customer community, and he brings a proven record of success, leading high-performing teams and achieving high-growth goals in the technology field,” Ken Krieg, Sparton’s chairman of the board, said in the news release. “We are honored to have Tracy join the Elbit America team, and excited about what Sparton will accomplish under his leadership.”
With more than a 120-year history and decades of defense experience spanning the decades since World War I, Sparton has become the partner of choice for domestic and international defense applications. As a pure-play defense supplier, Sparton focuses exclusively on providing best-in-class, innovative solutions and executing on strategic opportunities to build upon its market leadership.
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HOLZMAN
