“Transatlantic Defence Industrial Cooperation Challenges and Prospects” Résidence Palace Brussels 18 July 2003

Gerrit Jonge Poerink Born May 1946 in Hengelo the Netherlands, nationality Dutch, married and two children. After senior-highschool/Lyceum, College for Transport and Shipping Amsterdam, which was completed with a special citation. Start of professional career in 1966 with Shell Ltd, where the legally required certificates were obtained. 1968 Joining the Royal Netherlands Navy to fulfil national services, becoming a line officer after completion of the special RNlN KIM officers training. Extended national services with four years, being positioned as Programmer and System-engineer from the initial days onwards at the RNlN Centre for Operational Software. Beyond the normal training courses, including 4 months at the German Fleet Programming Centre, a Bachelors degree in applied mathematics was obtained at the Centre of Applied Mathematics (Mat. Centrum) of the University of Amsterdam. Further Philips, Thomson-Thales, VNO training-courses were followed, including a SERA course at the Ecole Militaire in Paris as part of the professional education. By end 1973 the move was made from the Navy to SIGNAAL, the major Dutch Defense industry. The career spreads over jobs as project-leader, program-manager, capturing team leader for many major projects for e.g. the Spanish, the Korean, but mainly for the RNlN and German Naval (joint) programs. In 1990 Head of the Projects department, participating in the BAH analysis that led to the take over from Philips to Thomson-CSF now Thales. Joining the board of the company in 1992 as director of the Naval Domain or BU leader for Naval Combat and Radar systems until 1995. Than director Projects and Programs until 2001. Currently managing director of a 50-50 EADS-Thales JV in Germany and special advisor to the CEO for strategic and business development issues. Participated during many years in collaborative programs, such as the NATO Seasparrow/ESSM program, in European industrial organizations, such as EDIG, and up to today as the chairman of the Dutch NIAG delegation.