CEO dies in plane crash

Ed Fernandez, president and chief executive officer of Sherikon Inc., Chantilly, Va., was killed last week when the private plane he was piloting crashed in Shannon County, Mo., during a cross-country trip.

Fernandez founded Sherikon in 1984 as a consulting company specializing in engineering, information systems, telecommunications, health services and other functions. The company has been a prominent player in agencies such as the General Services Administration and the Naval Sea Systems Command.

Before founding the company, Fernandez helped develop financial management and manpower planning systems while serving as reservist for the Navy.

John Moliere, vice president of telecommunications integration systems at Sherikon, said last week that chief operating officer Steve Wilkes will serve as acting CEO until a permanent replacement is named.

"Ed is going to be sorely missed," Moliere said.