The Next Leader Of General Dynamics

In June 7, 2012 General Dynamics announced that it current CEO Jay Johnson would be retiring on December 2012 and will be succeeded by Phebe Novakovic.  Only just May 2012 she was appointed as president and COO. In less than a year in her current position she will be the head of the entire company which is one of the major defense contractors of the U.S.

General Dynamics makes everything from Army tanks to nuclear submarines. It’s an accomplishment for anyone to be able to head it. Being the first woman to head a major defense contractor is an added feather in Novakovic’s cap.

She is no stranger to matters related to the country’s defense. She was formerly a CIA official and spent around four years as a special assistant to the defense secretary. Novakovic was deputy secretary of defense from 1997 to 2001.

Then she joined General Dynamics in 2001. Novakovic has served in a number of senior positions at General Dynamics including vice president of strategic planning from October 2002 to July 2005. She then was made vice president for planning and development from July 2005 to May 2010. Novakovic was EVP for marine systems since May 2010 before becoming president and COO.

Novakovic is part of the now growing trend of women heading large corporations.