Cambria County’s most prominent home-grown government contracting company will have a leadership change at the beginning of 2009.

Concurrent Technologies Corp., based in Richland Township, announced Thursday that Dan DeVos, president and CEO, will retire at year’s end.

Edward J. Sheehan Jr., senior vice president and chief financial officer, has been named as DeVos’ successor.

DeVos will continue to serve on CTC’s board of directors.

“What started 20 years ago as a small team of dedicated professionals focused on improving metalworking technologies has grown into one of America's top 100 government contractors,” said Howard Picking, chairman of CTC’s board.

“With Dan’s leadership, the company has grown from 15 to more than 1,400 employees at over 50 locations across the nation. I’m confident that the company will continue to grow.”

In October 1988, DeVos, a native of Baltimore, was named president of Metalworking Technology Inc., which became CTC upon its merger with National Defense Environmental Corp. in 1992. CTC was spun off in 1994 from the University of Pittsburgh Trust, its original parent, and established as an independent, nonprofit, scientific research and development organization.

“There’s no significance to the timing of this,” said DeVos, who holds a bachelor’s from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s from Pitt. “I’m getting up there and am at the retirement age.

“My kids are living in different areas. And we want to spend more time with the family. But I am going to remain involved with the community.”

Sheehan joined CTC in 1993. He is a native of Virginia, but has lifelong ties to the region through his late father, a native of Johnstown’s Kernville neighborhood.

In his current role, Sheehan is responsible for CTC’s assets, financial requirements, financing relationships and policy development. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Sheehan also is as chairman and president of the CTC foundation.

“The company will be in good hands,” DeVos said. “We have a terrific board and our executive staff is very strong. I believe Ed will continue to lead the company in a very successful manner.”

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, played an integral role in bringing DeVos to Johnstown. He credits CTC’s success, growing to more than 800 employees locally, to his leadership.

“Dan has done a marvelous job since CTC’s inception 20 years ago,” Murtha said. “Under his leadership and vision, CTC has grown into an internationally known and recognized company, and I’m proud that CTC calls Johnstown its home.”

DeVos also has been active in other economic development activities. He is chairman of the annual Showcase for Commerce and will serve at least until the end of February ’09 as board chairman of Johnstown Area Regional Industries.

Linda Thomson, CEO of JARI, said DeVos has had a major impact on the shape of the region’s economy. She expects Sheehan will pick up where DeVos leaves off.

“Dan has been a real blessing to this area in the way he’s built that company into the powerhouse it is today, and also because of his commitment to this community,” Thomson said.

“I can’t even begin to tell you what his personal involvement has meant to JARI, Showcase for Commerce, our defense business council and as chairman of our board. He consistently puts the betterment of the community first.

“We also have great regard for Ed Sheehan. We know he will do a great job and he will be someone that we will be working with closely.”