Datametrics Adds Management Post

Datametrics named Joseph P. Gibbs president and chief operating officer. He also joined the company’s board, which added an eighth seat for him.

Garland S. White, the former president, remains chairman and chief executive of the Chatsworth company a leading maker of computer printers for the military. He said Gibbs, 52, was hired because the company is growing, and the board felt added management was needed.

After struggling for years, Datametrics gained $2.75 million in new venture capital in March, and profits have soared since. The company had record earnings of $525,000 for its second quarter ended April 30, up 416%. Sales were $4.45 million, up just 1.2%, but Datametrics says its backlog is growing, and the company has announced several new contracts worth millions.

White, 58, founded Datametrics in 1962 and became its president and chief executive. He took on the added title of chairman in March.

Gibbs, an engineering graduate of the California Institute of Technology, was previously president of Eaton Corp.’s electronic instrumentation division in Los Angeles, a job he held about 18 months. Before that, Gibbs had his own business, TriNex Communications in San Diego, which he sold.

Gibbs said he plans to pursue acquisitions for Datametrics and that one or two more senior managers probably will be hired shortly.