Corporate Lead Executive, San Diego, Calif.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
John Pettitt is the Northrop Grumman Corporate Lead Executive (CLE) for San Diego, California.
In this capacity as CLE, he is responsible for providing a focal point for relationships between elements of the corporation, local military commands and the community. Northrop Grumman has multiple offices located in San Diego County, with over 4,000 local employees. Key customers include the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, PEO C4I & Space, Naval Special Warfare Command Pacific, Naval Surface Forces, Naval Air Forces, Third Fleet, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Mr. Pettitt was commissioned in the U.S. Navy through the Aviation Officer Candidate School. Following flight training and his designation as a naval aviator, he flew single-seat light attack and strike fighter aircraft off numerous aircraft carriers, accruing over 5,500 flight hours and 675 carrier landings. After 25 years of service, he retired from the U.S. Navy in 1994 as a Captain.
Mr. Pettitt joined the Westinghouse Defense Electronics Group in August of 1994, which was subsequently acquired by Northrop Grumman in 1996. He has represented the Electronic Systems sector on the West Coast as a naval field marketing representative in China Lake, Calif., and subsequently, in San Diego pursuing Navy business.
Mr. Pettitt is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and holds a master’s degree in international relations from Salve Regina University. He also attended the Naval War College, and earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 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.
