Felix Grucci is new CEO at Grucci Inc.

Fireworks by Grucci Inc. has named Felix Grucci its new president and chief executive, making him the fifth generation of the family to run the world-famous pyrotechnics company.

Felix "Phil" Grucci, 49, succeeds Donna Grucci Butler and her brother, Felix J. Grucci Jr., fourth-generation family members. They are retiring from their day-to-day management roles, she as president and he as executive vice president and chief financial officer, the Brookhaven Town-based company said Friday. Felix J. Grucci Jr. is a former congressman and Brookhaven Town supervisor.

Phil Grucci is the nephew of Donna and Felix Jr., and the son of the late James Grucci.

The new president said he expects the company's expansion into the defense market to continue, producing simulators and explosives for the military.

He said he also expects foreign sales of fireworks, particularly to Asia and the Middle East, to continue increasing as a percentage of sales.

But the U.S. fireworks business still is recovering from the recession, he said. "We're starting to see corporate America loosening the purse strings and using us in marketing and advertising," he said.

The Grucci companies produce about $20 million a year in revenues and employ 25 in Brookhaven and about 160 in Virginia. Another 300 part-time pyrotechnicians assist in staging the family's 200 to 300 fireworks shows a year.

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Phil Grucci also will remain CEO of Pyrotechnique by Grucci Inc., the manufacturing and military-sales entity of the Grucci group of companies.

A sixth generation of Gruccis is involved in the business. They include Corey Grucci, Lauren Grucci and Christopher Grucci, Phil's nephew, daughter and son, respectively, all of whom are certified pyrotechnicians.