LOS ANGELES - Feb. 21, 2008 - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today that its board of directors has elected Darryl M. Fraser, 49, corporate vice president, Communications, effective March 15, 2008. He succeeds Rosanne O'Brien, who is retiring in May in accordance with the company's mandatory retirement policy for officers. Fraser is currently sector vice president of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives at the company's Mission Systems sector. He will report to Ronald D. Sugar, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, and will become a member of the Corporate Policy Council. Following March 15, O'Brien will continue to report to Sugar and assist with the transition until her official retirement date.
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Fraser will have responsibility for the Corporation's worldwide communications strategy and execution, including media relations, employee communications, advertising, executive communications and branding/corporate image.
"We are pleased to have Darryl Fraser lead our worldwide communications organization," Sugar said. "He is an accomplished and broadly experienced communications executive whose strong background in government relations, business development, engineering and strategic planning will serve him and the company well in this important role."
"At the same time, we want to express our gratitude for the outstanding contributions Rosanne O'Brien has made to Northrop Grumman since joining the company in 1999," Sugar said. "She guided Northrop Grumman's communication strategy in the midst of our greatest period of expansion and played a key role in helping to reposition and brand the company during that time. We wish her well in her retirement."
Fraser joined Northrop Grumman through its TRW acquisition in 2002. During his 28-year career he has held increasingly responsible positions in engineering, strategic planning, government relations and communications. He served as director of communications for TRW's Space and Technology group and held the position of vice president of communications for TRW's Aerospace and Information Systems business. Before moving to Mission Systems in 2007, he served as vice president of Washington operations for the company's Mission Systems and Space Technology sectors.
Fraser earned a master's degree in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also served as a Brookings Congressional Fellow.
Fraser is the past chair of the Washington Public Relations committee of the Aerospace Industries Association and past chair of the finance committee of ServiceSource, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides employment opportunities for people with disabilities. He also serves as Regional co-chairperson of the MIT Educational Council, which is responsible for coordinating the interviews with MIT alumni of all freshman applicants to MIT for the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.
