AMSEA Appoints Thomas W. Merrell as President

QUINCY, Mass. – General Dynamics American Overseas Marine (AMSEA) today announced the promotion of Thomas W. Merrell to president, effective immediately. He succeeds Peter J. Lawrence, who is retiring. AMSEA is part of the Marine Systems Group of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

Merrell joined AMSEA in 1984 and has served as vice president – Marine Operations since 2004. Previously he managed eight ships as AMSEA’s Fast Sealift Ship (FSS) program manager. Merrell is a graduate of State University of New York Maritime College and holds a master’s degree in management from Lesley College and master of arts degree from Simmons College. After graduation from SUNY Maritime, Merrell sailed with Gulf Oil and was a captain with Amoco.

Christopher Nette, currently Large Medium Speed Roll On/Roll Off (LMSR) program manager, will assume Merrell’s position as vice president – Marine Operations. Nette has been LMSR program manager since joining AMSEA in 2004. He is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y.

Lawrence was named president of AMSEA in August 2004. He began his career with General Dynamics in 1983 and was instrumental in founding AMSEA. Before joining General Dynamics, Lawrence was a ship’s master for 20 years with Moore McCormack/Farrell Lines.

AMSEA manages and operates both private and government-owned vessels for the U. S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,000 people worldwide and reported 2007 revenues of $27.2 billion. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.