Former Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Joins Carlyle
Group
Global private equity firm The
Carlyle Group has announced that Kent Kresa, the former Chairman
and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation, has joined Carlyle as a
Senior Advisor to its aerospace and defense group.
Kent Kresa (right) said, "I've known the Carlyle executives for
many years and have an abiding respect for their approach and
judgment. For years, Carlyle has played a significant role in the
aerospace and defense market. Carlyle has a straightforward
approach to its business and delivers on its promises. I'm
delighted to be associated with them."
Mr. Kresa was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Northrop
Grumman Corporation from September 1990 until October 2003. He
served as Chief Executive Officer from January 1990 until March
2003, and President from 1987 until September 2001. In 1982 he was
appointed Group Vice President of the company's Aircraft Group and
in 1986 was named Senior Vice President-Technology Development and
Planning. Mr. Kresa joined Northrop Grumman in 1975 as Vice
President and Manager of the company's Research and Technology
Center, developing new proprietary processes and products for the
company. From 1976-82 he served as Corporate Vice President and
General Manager of the Ventura Division, a leader in the production
of unmanned aeronautical vehicles.
Before joining Northrop
Grumman, Mr. Kresa served with the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency, where he was responsible for broad, applied
research and development programs in the tactical and strategic
defense arena. From 1961-68 he was associated with the Lincoln
Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.),
where he worked on ballistic missile defense research and reentry
technology.
Mr. Kresa has received many of the industry's and the
government's most prestigious honors. He received the 2002 Howard
Hughes Memorial Award by the Aero Club of Southern California for
his significant contributions to the advancement of aviation and
space technology. Aviation Week magazine honored him with its 2002
Laurel Citation for achievements in aeronautics/propulsion. In
recognition of Mr. Kresa's outstanding leadership, Forbes magazine
named Northrop Grumman "Company of the Year" in December 2002.
Business Week magazine selected him as one of the nation's Top 25
Managers for 2001, and also in 2002, he was presented the
California Institute of Technology's Management Association's
Excellence in Management Award for demonstrating extraordinary
vision and leadership. In 2002, he was awarded the Ellis Island
Medal of Honor for his significant contributions to our nation's
heritage. Mr. Kresa and Northrop Grumman were named a "Manufacturer
of the Century" in March 2000 by the California Manufacturers and
Technology Association.
Previously, Mr. Kresa was awarded the Department of the Air
Force's Decoration of Exceptional Civilian Service in 1987, the
Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1974 and
the Navy's Meritorious Public Service Citation in 1975. Also in
1975, he received the Arthur D. Flemming Award as one of the year's
top ten people in the U.S. Government.
Mr. Kresa is a past President and an Honorary Fellow of the
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a member
of the National Academy of Engineering, and the past Chairman of
the Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association.
Mr. Kresa serves on the boards of directors of the Avery
Dennison Corporation, Fluor Corporation, General Motors
Corporation, Eclipse Aviation Corporation, Trust Company of the
West, and Advanced Bionics Corporation. He is the Board Vice Chair
of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County and serves on
the boards of several non-profit organizations and universities.
Mr. Kresa is a Member of the M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory Advisory
Board and a Member of the UCLA Anderson School of Business Board of
Visitors.
Mr. Kresa, 65, earned his B.S., M.S., and E.A.A., all in
aeronautics and astronautics, from M.I.T., and received an honorary
doctorate of laws degree from Pepperdine University in 2003.