NEW YORK, May 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, has appointed Doug Gates, an eight-year veteran of the firm, to head its Global and U.S. Aerospace & Defense practice.

In his new role, Gates will be responsible for setting the strategic priorities and growth agenda for KPMG's Global and U.S. Aerospace & Defense practice. He will drive strategy and client services and broaden KPMG relationships with senior aerospace and defense executives, and will act as the lead engagement partner on several large client engagements. He will also help drive the creation of market-recognized thought leadership and industry knowledge for the aerospace and defense sector. Gates, based out of Atlanta, succeeds Marty Phillips, who has been appointed as the firm's Global and U.S. Head of Management Consulting for Diversified Industrials.

"KPMG has a long history of serving aerospace and defense companies, and Doug's appointment demonstrates our continued commitment to this key industry sector, especially as companies seek help navigating the complex business challenges in this environment," said Jeff Dobbs, global sector chair of KPMG's Diversified Industrials practice, which includes aerospace and defense. "He is a recognized leader in serving A&D businesses, and we're confident that his vision, industry knowledge and leadership will help further strengthen and build this practice."

Gates brings more 30 years of experience both in consulting and industry positions, including 20 years at a major A&D company. At KPMG, he has helped clients develop and implement large-scale operational improvement projects, including lean business process transformation, enterprise organizational redesign, manufacturing plant closure/consolidation, global working capital optimization and business process outsourcing and shared services strategies.

"Aerospace and defense companies are challenged to meet the pressures of decreasing government defense budgets, increased globalization and competition, and a highly complex regulatory environment," said Doug Gates, global and U.S. head of KPMG's Aerospace & Defense practice. "We at KPMG look forward to offering insights and services that assist A&D executives in growing and optimizing their businesses, managing risk and helping them to address these significant challenges."

Gates received a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics and Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.kpmg.com/us), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's member firms have 152,000 professionals, including more than 8,600 partners, in 156 countries.

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KPMG Appoints Doug Gates as Global and U.S. Head of Aerospace & Defense Practice