SAIC exec to retire

Duane Andrews, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Science Applications International Corp., plans to retire in April, the company announced today.

Andrews will remain COO until Feb. 24 and will formally retire April 15, according to the announcement.

Kenneth Dahlberg, SAIC's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said the company is searching for Andrews' successor.

“During his 13 years of service, Duane compiled a strong record in growing our federal business and then operating large portions of it prior to becoming chief operating officer," Dahlberg said in a statement for the company's employees. “We all owe him our appreciation for his efforts on SAIC’s behalf."

SAIC is preparing to offer stock to the public for the first time sometime this year. The company has prided itself on being employee-owned.

Andrews will end a 39-year career, the final 13 at SAIC, when he steps down, according to his statement to employees. He became COO in January 2005.