Henschel Corporation, a unit of General Signal of Amesbury, Mass., has announced the promotion of William Rees Phillips to the newly created position of director, corporate development. In this new capacity, he reports directly to the president of Henschel, George E. Coorssen, and is responsible for growth planning and business development of Henschel operations in Amesbury, Tulsa, and Homer, La.

Mr. Phillips, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, completed 22 years of commissioned naval service in 1973. From 1973 to 1977 he was a private consultant to the marine industry. Since 1977, he has been with Henschel as product development manager.