BAE Systems hires general manager for Radford Army Ammunition Plant

Arlington-based defense contractor BAE Systems Inc. has hired Kirk Johnson as general manager of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, effective March 29.

Johnson comes to the position with seven years of experience at Lubrizol Corp., a Berkshire Hathaway specialty chemicals company, where he served as managing director for specialty and industrial additives and then as vice president of manufacturing for its Chemtool division.

He’s a graduate of Auburn University and completed executive courses at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

In addition to his role as general manager for the Radford-based ammunitions manufacturer, Johnson will join the senior leadership team of BAE Systems Inc.’s Ordnance Systems Inc. (OSI) division.

“Kirk’s strong background in manufacturing and quality program management will add great value to the leadership team,” Brian Gathright, vice president and general manager of OSI, said in a statement.

Johnson’s predecessor, Mike Bocek, is joining BAE Systems’ Combat Missions Systems division as part of a planned rotation.

BAE Systems has served as operating contractor for the Radford plant since 2012.

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