TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 23, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- Steven Tamburro, manager of Community Partnerships for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) Integrated Supply Chain, has been selected as Employee of the Year by CAREERS & the disABLED magazine.

Tamburro, one of 10 employees chosen from approximately 1,000 private companies and government agencies from around the country, was selected for his professional achievement, community involvement and advocacy efforts to educate individuals at Raytheon about disability issues in the workplace, according to magazine Editor Jim Schneider.

Tamburro was honored by CAREERS & the disABLED magazine at its 14th Annual Awards reception held March 22 in New York City.

"Steve Tamburro is an outstanding role model for the diverse nature of talent we have represented at Raytheon and IDS," said Chase Hawkins, director of IDS Diversity. "He is passionate, informed and a key champion in educating and communicating about issues affecting employees with disabilities. I value his leadership, his commitment to IDS and the community, and his high regard for excellence."

In his role as manager of Community Partnerships, Rhode Island, Tamburro manages the Mentor-Protege Agreement with Banneker Industries, Inc., a women-minority-owned small business. Professionally, Tamburro has more than 17 years experience in project/program management for several product lines, engineering, supply-chain management and quality assurance.

Tamburro also serves as the Northeast president of the Raytheon Persons with Disabilities Association (RPDA) employee resource group. RPDA is dedicated to providing employees with resources needed to support and facilitate the hiring, retention, and advancement of employees with disabilities. His community involvement includes vice chairperson of the board of directors for Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island, and he is also on the Rhode Island Business Leadership Network steering committee.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a strong international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. armed forces.

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

  Contact:
  Guy Shields
  978.858.5246

SOURCE: Raytheon Company

CONTACT: Guy Shields of Raytheon Company, +1-978-858-5246

Web site: http://www.raytheon.com/