L-3 Avionics Systems has appointed Jay LaFoy president of the company after the departure in April of former president Adrienne Stevens. In his new role, LaFoy will oversee all aspects of L-3 Avionics Systems and report to Kris Ganase, president of parent company L-3 Aviation Products.

LaFoy has more than 25 years of aviation industry experience, including 13 years with L-3 Avionics as the director of operations, manager of the company’s Florida MRO business and, most recently, executive vice president. Before coming to L-3 he held management positions at Goodrich Aerospace, which sold its avionics business to L-3 in 2003.

LaFoy holds an associate degree in business management from Champlain College. In 1992 he completed an executive education program at the University of Michigan’s School of Business.

In an interview with AIN, LaFoy said he looks forward to taking over the business at a crisis time: “In a way, it’s good to be starting at the bottom of a cycle because the only way to go is up.” LaFoy did not comment on L-3 Avionics’ lawsuit against Cirrus, but said the company plans to move “full speed ahead” with the SmartDeck cockpit and other products in its portfolio.