Northrop Grumman Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Northrop Grumman has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial management, engineering, operations, and technology.

Focused on delivering advanced aerospace and defense solutions, Northrop Grumman maintains a commitment to global security through innovation, technical excellence, and the development of complex systems for government and commercial partners.

Leadership Roles at Northrop Grumman

  • Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer - Charles Wands
  • Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP - John Greene
  • Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess) - Donald McHugh
  • Chief Financial Officer, Missile Defense Integration BU - Jennifer Conrad
  • Manager, ITSM Program & Portfolio Manager & Chief Operating Officer - Jeramie Proctor
  • Chief of Staff - Adam Breen
  • Defense Systems Sector Engineering Chief of Staff - Heather Mabee
  • Chief Engineer, Enterprise Engineering and Chief Technology Officer Office - Darren Rettew
  • Chief of Staff & Manager, Manufacturing Operations - Kandice Herring
  • Advanced Systems & Technology Chief of Staff - Matthew Doerflein
  • Charles Wands - Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer

    Charles Wands, the Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer at Northrop Grumman, directs the financial health and business operations of the sector. Wands oversees fiscal planning, budget allocation, and resource management to support the development of complex aerospace and defense systems. By analyzing market trends and operational costs, the Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer ensures that financial strategies align with the company's commitment to innovation. Charles Wands manages the financial reporting structures that provide transparency to stakeholders and government partners. This leadership role involves mitigating financial risks while identifying opportunities for growth within the defense sector. Through the implementation of robust business management practices, Wands secures the capital necessary for large-scale engineering projects. The Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer maintains rigorous oversight of project portfolios, ensuring that every investment contributes directly to the technological advancement and operational success of the organization.

    John Greene - Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP

    John Greene, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP at Northrop Grumman, directs the global financial strategy and corporate fiscal policy. Greene oversees capital allocation, financial reporting, and investor relations to ensure the long-term stability of the organization. By managing the financial health of the company, the Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP supports the development of advanced aerospace and defense technologies. John Greene collaborates with the Board and executive leadership to drive growth and maximize shareholder value. This role involves overseeing large-scale financial planning and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements across all international operations. Through the implementation of strategic financial initiatives, Greene strengthens the company's market position. The Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP maintains a focus on fiscal discipline, ensuring that resources are effectively deployed to support the company's mission of providing innovative solutions to government and commercial customers worldwide.
    John Greene

    Donald McHugh - Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess)

    Donald McHugh, the Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess) at Northrop Grumman, directs the financial operations of the shared services division. McHugh oversees the budgeting, accounting, and financial support functions that enable the company's broader aerospace and defense activities. By managing the financial performance of shared services, the Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess) ensures that internal support systems operate with maximum efficiency. Donald McHugh coordinates with other business units to streamline financial processes and reduce operational costs. This role involves managing the financial infrastructure that supports the entire enterprise, ensuring that resources are available for critical projects. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, McHugh maintains the integrity of the company's fiscal operations. The Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess) focuses on delivering high-value financial support, ensuring that the company's shared services remain a reliable foundation for its global defense and aerospace operations.

    Jennifer Conrad - Chief Financial Officer, Missile Defense Integration BU

    Jennifer Conrad, the Chief Financial Officer, Missile Defense Integration BU at Northrop Grumman, directs the financial strategy for the missile defense integration business unit. Conrad oversees fiscal planning, cost management, and financial analysis to support the development of critical missile defense systems. By managing the financial health of this specialized unit, the Chief Financial Officer, Missile Defense Integration BU ensures that resources are effectively utilized to meet the needs of government customers. Jennifer Conrad collaborates with engineering and program leadership to align financial goals with technical milestones. This role involves managing complex budgets and ensuring that the business unit remains profitable while delivering high-stakes defense solutions. Through the implementation of rigorous financial oversight, Conrad supports the successful execution of missile defense contracts. The Chief Financial Officer, Missile Defense Integration BU maintains a focus on fiscal responsibility, ensuring that the unit contributes to the company's overall success in the global defense market.

    Jeramie Proctor - Manager, ITSM Program & Portfolio Manager & Chief Operating Officer

    Jeramie Proctor, the Manager, ITSM Program & Portfolio Manager & Chief Operating Officer at Northrop Grumman, directs the operational infrastructure and IT service management programs. Proctor oversees the portfolio of internal systems, ensuring that technology platforms support the company's aerospace and defense operations. By managing the ITSM program, the Manager, ITSM Program & Portfolio Manager & Chief Operating Officer optimizes service delivery and enhances operational efficiency across the organization. Jeramie Proctor coordinates with leadership to align IT investments with business requirements, ensuring that the company maintains a robust digital foundation. This role involves managing complex portfolios and driving the adoption of scalable technology solutions. Through the oversight of operational workflows, Proctor ensures that the company's technical services remain reliable and secure. The Manager, ITSM Program & Portfolio Manager & Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on continuous improvement, supporting the company's ability to deliver high-quality products and services to global customers.

    Adam Breen - Chief of Staff

    Adam Breen, the Chief of Staff at Northrop Grumman, coordinates executive workflows and aligns internal resources with the broader aerospace and defense mission. Breen manages high-level communications and facilitates decision-making processes across the enterprise to ensure operational efficiency. By streamlining administrative functions, the Chief of Staff enables leadership to focus on critical defense technology initiatives. Adam Breen maintains oversight of cross-functional projects, ensuring that departmental goals remain synchronized with the long-term strategic objectives of the organization. This role requires constant interaction with senior leadership to resolve complex organizational challenges. Through rigorous management of internal priorities, the Chief of Staff drives the execution of corporate policies. Breen fosters a culture of accountability and precision, which remains essential for maintaining the company's competitive edge in the global aerospace market. The Chief of Staff consistently optimizes internal processes to support the delivery of advanced systems and technical services.

    Heather Mabee - Defense Systems Sector Engineering Chief of Staff

    Heather Mabee, the Defense Systems Sector Engineering Chief of Staff at Northrop Grumman, manages the operational framework for engineering teams focused on defense systems. Mabee coordinates technical resources and aligns engineering workflows with the company's mission to provide advanced defense solutions. By facilitating communication between engineering departments and executive leadership, the Defense Systems Sector Engineering Chief of Staff ensures that technical projects meet rigorous quality and performance standards. Heather Mabee oversees the integration of complex systems, supporting the development of products that serve government and commercial customers. This role involves managing the technical roadmap and ensuring that engineering teams possess the necessary tools to execute high-stakes defense contracts. Through the optimization of engineering processes, Mabee drives efficiency and innovation across the sector. The Defense Systems Sector Engineering Chief of Staff maintains a focus on technical excellence, ensuring that every engineering initiative supports the broader strategic goals of the organization.

    Darren Rettew - Chief Engineer, Enterprise Engineering and Chief Technology Officer Office

    Darren Rettew, the Chief Engineer, Enterprise Engineering and Chief Technology Officer Office at Northrop Grumman, architects the technical vision and engineering standards for the entire enterprise. Rettew oversees the development of cutting-edge aerospace and defense technologies, ensuring that the company remains at the forefront of innovation. By guiding the Chief Technology Officer Office, the Chief Engineer, Enterprise Engineering and Chief Technology Officer Office aligns research and development efforts with the evolving needs of government and commercial customers. Darren Rettew manages the integration of advanced electronics and information systems, driving the creation of next-generation solutions. This leadership role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex engineering challenges and improve system performance. Through the implementation of standardized engineering practices, Rettew ensures consistency and reliability across all product lines. The Chief Engineer, Enterprise Engineering and Chief Technology Officer Office maintains a focus on long-term technological growth, supporting the company's position as a global leader in defense technology.
    Darren Rettew

    Kandice Herring - Chief of Staff & Manager, Manufacturing Operations

    Kandice Herring, the Chief of Staff & Manager, Manufacturing Operations at Northrop Grumman, oversees the production floor and coordinates the strategic initiatives of the manufacturing division. Herring manages the daily operations of manufacturing facilities, ensuring that the production of aerospace and defense systems meets strict quality and safety standards. By serving as the Chief of Staff & Manager, Manufacturing Operations, Herring aligns production schedules with the broader business objectives of the company. Kandice Herring facilitates communication between manufacturing teams and executive leadership to resolve operational bottlenecks and improve throughput. This role involves optimizing supply chain logistics and implementing lean manufacturing principles to enhance efficiency. Through the management of manufacturing resources, Herring supports the delivery of complex systems to government and commercial clients. The Chief of Staff & Manager, Manufacturing Operations maintains a focus on operational excellence, ensuring that the company's manufacturing capabilities remain a core strength in the competitive defense industry.

    Matthew Doerflein - Advanced Systems & Technology Chief of Staff

    Matthew Doerflein, the Advanced Systems & Technology Chief of Staff at Northrop Grumman, coordinates the strategic operations of the advanced systems and technology division. Doerflein manages the integration of research and development projects, ensuring that new technologies align with the company's aerospace and defense goals. By facilitating communication between technical teams and executive leadership, the Advanced Systems & Technology Chief of Staff drives the progress of high-priority innovation initiatives. Matthew Doerflein oversees the allocation of resources for advanced systems, supporting the creation of next-generation products. This role involves managing the technical roadmap and ensuring that the division remains focused on delivering breakthrough solutions. Through the optimization of internal processes, Doerflein enhances the efficiency of technology development. The Advanced Systems & Technology Chief of Staff maintains a focus on technical excellence, ensuring that every project contributes to the company's leadership in the global defense technology market.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Northrop Grumman Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Northrop Grumman?
    Northrop Grumman is led by Charles Wands (Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer), along with executives such as John Greene (Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP) and Donald McHugh (Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess)).
    Who is part of Northrop Grumman’s executive team?
    The executive team of Northrop Grumman includes leaders such as Charles Wands (Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer), John Greene (Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP), Donald McHugh (Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Northrop Grumman have?
    Northrop Grumman has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Northrop Grumman’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Northrop Grumman includes roles such as Sector Vice President, Business Management & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate VP, Chief Financial Officer, Enterprise Shared Services (Ess), Chief Financial Officer, Missile Defense Integration BU, Manager, ITSM Program & Portfolio Manager & Chief Operating Officer.