Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global security leader providing innovative systems, solutions, and products to government and commercial customers. It’s a pioneer in military aircraft design and technology with products and systems ranging from advanced intelligence, space, and strike systems to cybersecurity solutions and all-seeing radars. Meet the Northrop Grumman leaders, founders, and executives here!
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Northrop Grumman Leaders and Executives
Here’s a list of Northrop Grumman leaders and executives who have been instrumental in the company’s growth and success.
Kathy Warden
Chief Executive Officer, Chair, and President
Kathy Warden was named Northrop Grumman’s Chief Executive Officer and President in January 2019. She was also elected Chairman of the Board in August 2019. Before these roles, she was the company’s chief operating officer, leading engagement with the worldwide partners and senior customer community.
Before joining Northrop Grumman in 2008, Ms. Warden held leadership roles at Veridian and General Dynamics, gaining extensive experience in business development and operational leadership in government and commercial markets.
Ann Addison
Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Vice President
Ann Addison became Northrop Grumman’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Corporate Vice President in January 2019. Having a strong background in information systems, human resources analytics, and diversity, she is best suited to handling the company’s human capital programs and strategy.
In 2021, Ms. Addison re-engineered human resources processes and practices and launched a digital platform for an all-new employee experience. Before joining the company, she was an Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Leidos.
Sheila Cheston
General Counsel and Corporate Vice President
Sheila Cheston has been Northrop Grumman’s General Counsel and Corporate Vice President since 2010. She is a seasoned industry leader and general counsel with strategic and broad-based legal expertise in her role and years of experience in the government and aerospace industry. Before joining the company, she was a Board of Director member, Executive Vice President (2009), and General Counsel (2003) at BAE Systems, Inc.
Kenny Robinson
Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Global Corporate Responsibility
Kenny Robinson was appointed Northrop Grumman’s Chief Diversity Officer in May 2022. He is responsible for preserving the company’s inclusive culture, ensuring employee equality, fairness, and dignity, and creating belongingness in the workplace. His team handles diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Previously, he served as Maritime/Land Systems and Sensors & Field Engineering Vice President. Before joining Northrop Grumman in 2007 as a Director of the Military Systems Operating Unit, he served in the U.S. Air Force as commander of the Global Positioning System Control Segment Group.
Thomas Jones
Corporate Vice President and President of Aeronautics Systems
Thomas Jones is Northrop Grumman’s President of the Aeronautics Systems business unit with major operations in Ohio, Utah, California, Mississippi, North Dakota, Florida, and Oklahoma. Before this role, he served as the Vice President and General Manager of Northrop Grumman’s networks and sensors division. Before joining the company in 2011, he was Boeing’s Director of the Marine Systems Division.
Lesley Kalan
Chief Strategy and Development Officer and Corporate Vice President
In addition to her current role as Corporate Vice President of Government Relations, Lesley Kalan was named Northrop Grumman’s Chief Strategy and Development Officer in January 2020. She is responsible for directing and executing the company’s regulatory, policy, and government affairs, and guiding interactions with local and state officials, the executive branch, and Congress. Before these roles, she was the Vice President of Legislative Affairs from 2010 to 2018.
Dave Keffer
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Vice President
Dave Keffer is Northrop Grumman’s Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Vice President. He oversees the company’s business management initiatives, including contracts, treasury, financial strategy, tax, internal audit, and other functions.
Before joining the company, Kelfer was a General Partner at Blue Delta Capital Partners from 2018 to 2020. In March 2017, he was one of the finalists of the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s 2017 Greater Washington Technology CFO Awards, which recognized outstanding chief financial officers.
David Perry
Chief Global Business Officer and Corporate Vice President
David Perry is Northrop Grumman’s Chief Global Business Business Development Officer and Corporate Vice President. His responsibilities include overseeing the company’s global business and acquisitions. Before this role, he served as the Vice President and General Manager of the Naval and Marine Systems Division (2009-2012) and Vice President of Marine Systems (2005-2009).
John Russell
Chief Information Officer and Vice President
John Russell is Northrop Grumman’s Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President. He is responsible for leading the company’s digital transformation to improve the employee experience. Mr. Russel is skilled in system integration, architecture, operations, infrastructure energy, and solutions delivery.
He joined Northrop Grumman in September 2017 as a Director. Before that, he served in various leadership roles at Leidos from 2013 to 2017, including Chief Engineer and Vice President.
Lucy Ryan
Chief Communications Officer and Corporate Vice President
Lucy C. Ryan became the Chief Communications Officer in January 2019. She is responsible for the company’s global communications strategy, including media relations, digital, executive, media communications, advertising, and branding. She joined the company in September 2018 as Vice president of Enterprise Communications. Before that, she served as General Dynamics’ Director of Communications.
Michael Witt
Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President
Michael Witt became Northrop Grumman’s Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) and Vice President in August 2021. He has decades of experience in research and sustainability, having worked at Dow Inc. As the CSO, Witt is responsible for leading the company’s sustainability initiatives in implementing and designing business practices for materials management, resource efficiency, and carbon reduction, helping minimize Northrop’s environmental impact.
Northrop Grumman Corporation Board of Directors
Here’s a list of Northrop Grumman’s board of directors members.
- Kathy Warden
- David Abney
- Marianne Brown
- Donald Felsinger
- Ann Marie Fudge
- William Hernandez
- Madeleine Kleiner
- Karl Krapek
- Graham Robinson
- Gary Roughead
- Thomas Schoewe
- James Turley
- Gen. MarkWelsh, III
About Northrop Grumman Corporation
Who Are the Founders of Northrop Grumman?
John Knudsen Northrop, an aerospace innovator, and Leroy Randle Grumman, an American aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and industrialist, are the founders of Northrop Grumman Corporation. The company’s other heritage dates back to 1929 when Leroy Grumman and two partners established Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation.
Today’s Northrop Grumman is a result of more than 20 pioneering companies integrated across various industries, aerospace, defense, and technology, including:
- Northrop Aircraft Incorporated
- Grumman Corporation
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation
- Logicon Corporation
- Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical
- Litton Industries
- TRW Incorporated
Where is Northrop Grumman Corporate Headquarters?
Northrop Grumman’s previous headquarters is in Century City, Los Angeles. In April 2010, it announced its relocation to West Falls Church, Virginia, due to proximity to customers, facility considerations, new job openings, and overall economics.
What Are the Business Sectors of Northrop Grumman?
Northrop Grumman’s business sectors provide an unmatched portfolio and technology to deliver innovative solutions and systems for land, cyber, sea, space, and air applications.
- Aeronautics Systems: strike and commercial solutions, military aircraft, autonomous systems, next-generation surveillance, and aerospace structures
- Defense Systems: I.T. modernization and sustainment, advanced weapons, aircraft sustainment and modernization, training and simulation, software development, and integrated battle command systems
- Mission Systems: battle management and cyber solutions
- Space Systems: end-to-end space and launch systems and capabilities
Breaking New Boundaries Through Technology and Innovation
With the development of all-new technology, Northrop Grumman is breaking new boundaries in the aerospace and defense industries. Its advanced technologies enable its customers to create superior capabilities while helping to protect the nation’s security.
