Diane Balderson, former executive director and assistant commander for contracts at Naval Air Systems Command, has joined Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) as vice president of contracts and pricing.
Northrop said Monday that the 33-year government acquisition veteran will oversee the company’s policies on contracts and pricing, as well as be responsible for Northrop’s contract risk review process.
She will succeed Harry Lee, who will continue to oversee contract and pricing matters until his planned retirement from the company at the end of this year.
James Palmer, Northrop chief financial officer and corporate vice president, said Balderson served in the federal government’s Senior Executive Service ranks for 21 years.
“She has led a broad range of large contracting organizations and has executed complex business deals for both defense and civil agencies, ” Palmer said.
At NAVAIR, Balderson became the first civilian to lead its contracting organization and held responsibility over nearly $30 billion in annual contracts and expenditures.
She also led 850 civilian, military and contractor personnel across seven major locations.
Balderson has also served as contracting department lead for air assault and special missions at NAVAIR.
Prior to NAVAIR, she held acquisition leadership roles at the Environmental Protection Agency such as acting deputy director for EPA’s acquisition management office and director of Superfund/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act contracting.
