National Technical Systems Inc. has named Raffy Lorentzian as its chief financial officer.

Lorentzian will step in immediately for current CFO Lloyd Blonder, who is in ill health. Blonder will continue to serve as treasurer, the Calabasas-based defense contractor said in a statement.

Lorentzian joined the company as controller in 1997 and served as chief accounting officer since June 2000.

Shares in National Technical Systems were down 4 cents to $6 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq.