RESTON, Va., April 19, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has named Diane Murray sector vice president of mission assurance for the company's Mission Systems sector.
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In her new role, Murray will lead the sector's efforts to apply mission-assurance and Six Sigma processes and principles for improved quality, greater productivity and predictable program performance.
Murray previously served as vice president of Information Technology Solutions and chief information officer for the Mission Systems sector, a position she has held since January 2003.
Murray succeeds Kelley Zelickson, who has been named sector vice president and general manager of the sector's Tactical Systems Division. Murray will report to Jerry B. Agee, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Mission Systems.
Mission assurance is a disciplined application of systems engineering, cost and risk-estimation modeling, quality management, lessons learned and program-management principles to achieve 100 percent mission success. It is a proactive application of risk management which ensures that technical capabilities being delivered on programs meet customer expectations.
Murray's mission-assurance responsibilities will include strategy, planning and execution for process-improvement initiatives such as Six Sigma -- a business process to increase customer satisfaction through streamlined operations and improved quality through the use of metrics and quality-management systems to include those of the entire supply chain. She will lead the sector's engineering process and quantitative analysis efforts, including the Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Model(r) integration assessments, and will have responsibility for the office of cost estimation and risk analysis, all of which are integral components to successful implementation of mission assurance.
Since joining the company in 1977, Murray has held a number of executive and program management positions. Her previous roles include serving as vice president and deputy general manager of the civil government information technology business for TRW Inc., which was acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2002.
Murray earned a master's degree in operations research from Cornell University and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Spelman College.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With approximately 125,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.
