REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Oct. 1, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The California Institute of Technology has presented one of its highest honors, the International von Karman Wings Award, to Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Space Technology sector, in recognition of his achievements in space science and technology.
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"We are very proud that Caltech chose to bestow this prestigious honor on Alexis Livanos in recognition of his truly outstanding career," said Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman's chairman and chief executive officer. "Caltech and Northrop Grumman have a long history of collaborating to develop new technologies and new ways to apply them. Alexis Livanos plays a significant role in ensuring that this collaboration continues to have a significant impact on the university, the company and our nation."
Livanos is the company's fourth senior executive to receive the award, presented by the Aerospace Historical Society, which is part of the Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories at the California Institute of Technology (GALCIT). He joins Sugar, Simon Ramo, a founder of TRW Inc., which was acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2002, and Kent Kresa, former Northrop Grumman chairman and chief executive officer as award recipients. Kresa also currently serves as chair of the Caltech Board of Trustees.
"Alexis Livanos possesses the combination of unusual talents, experiences and accomplishments that makes him especially deserving of this award, the most prized in the field of aeronautical science and engineering," Ramo noted.
Presented at the society's 24th annual celebration Sept. 25, the award recognizes and preserves the history of world-renowned aerospace engineers. The ceremony culminated a day-long symposium that celebrated GALCIT's 80th anniversary by highlighting alumni achievements. Caltech earlier this year also bestowed Livanos with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
"The International von Karman Wings Award, in addition to honoring Dr. Livanos' contributions to space science, further recognizes his strong interest in space-related engineering education. His work and vision in this area perfectly complement his exceptional technical achievements and leadership at Northrop Grumman. We are proud of Alex as an alumnus and great advocate of science and technology," noted Caltech President Jean-Lou Chameau.
Space, Science Achievements
Livanos has more than 30 years' experience in research and applications in the fields of microelectronics, solid-state physics, electro-optics and signal processing. His work helped introduce III-V compound semiconductors to space, including gallium arsenide (GaAs) metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors, high electron mobility transistors, and hetero-junction bipolar transistors, resulting in unprecedented capability and performance for a number of highly significant national security spacecraft systems. He has led advanced research programs in GaAs and indium phosphide semiconductor devices, fiber optics and electro-optic subsystems, leading to an array of new government applications. He also has published numerous technical papers.
For those achievements, Livanos will be formally inducted next month into the National Academy of Engineers "for contributions to the development and insertion of advanced semiconductor technology for commercial and government space systems."
Caltech and Northrop Grumman
Presentation of the International von Karman Award to Livanos expands a rich history of collaboration between Caltech and Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman supports Caltech's research efforts, such as the DARPA Grand Challenge and the Autonomous Collaborative Control Research Group, along with executive education programs, mainly in systems engineering.
In addition to Livanos, Caltech alumni who have become company leaders include Kresa, Caltech Trustee Chairman; Reuben Mettler, retired chairman and chief executive officer of TRW; Dean Woolridge, a co-founder of TRW; and Ramo.
Livanos is a Member of the Visiting Committee for the Division of Engineering and Applied Science at Caltech, and serves as Chair of GALCIT's Advisory Council. He earned a bachelor's degree with honors in mechanical engineering, a master's degree in engineering science, and a Ph.D. in engineering science and physics from Caltech. He taught applied physics at Caltech for two years as a post-doctorate fellow.
Additionally, Livanos serves on the Viterbi School of Engineering Board of Councilors, University of Southern California.
Northrop Grumman, Industry Responsibilities
At Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Livanos is responsible for sector operations, where a broad range of systems at the leading edge of space, defense and electronics technology are developed. Previously, Livanos served as sector vice president and general manager for two divisions, Systems Development and Technology and Space Sensors Division, within the company's Electronic Systems sector. He served as deputy general manager for the former TRW Electronic Systems and Technology Division and later as executive vice president of operations for Space Systems/Loral. He has participated in the successful launch of 43 satellites.
Livanos holds numerous leadership positions within defense industry organizations and the engineering and educational communities. He is a member of the National Board of Directors, National Defense Industries Association; Chair of the Intelligence Committee within the C4ISR Division, National Defense Industries Association; serves on the Space Foundation Board of Directors; and is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Livanos helps guide California science and business organizations as a California Council on Science & Technology Fellow, having chaired the Council's 'Best and Brightest Task Force.'
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a 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.
