General Dynamics [GD] on Wednesday said that S. Daniel Johnson, president of the company’s Information Technology business unit, has been appointed to become the new head of the company’s $10 billion Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) segment effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Johnson, 67, will succeed David Heebner, 69, who is retiring at the end of December. Heebner became group executive for IS&T in March 2013.

Incoming GD IS&T Chief Dan Johnson. Photo: GD
Incoming GD IS&T Chief Dan Johnson. Photo: GD

Johnson will continue as president of the IT unit, which is part of IS&T.

“Dan Johnson is a proven leader, with the management and operations experience to ensure the Information Systems and Technology businesses continue to meet the needs of our customers, our employees and our shareholders,” Phebe Novakovic, GD’s chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

“David Heebner has had an exemplary career at General Dynamics, having served in leadership positions in all of our defense businesses and at corporate headquarters,” Novakovic said.

Johnson was the chief operating officer of the former information technology and services company Anteon, which GD acquired in 2005. He has been president of GD IT since 2008.

IS&T is involved in secure mobile communications, IT solutions and related mission support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, cyber security, and naval control systems.