James
F. Pitts
Full Bio
Corporate Vice President & President
Electronic Systems
Northrop Grumman Corporation
As Corporate Vice President & President,
Electronic Systems, Mr. Pitts has responsibility
for developing, producing, and providing critical
technologies, systems, and services for the
Department of Defense, other government agencies,
and commercial customers.
Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland since
1938, Electronic Systems is Northrop Grumman’s
largest sector, with nearly $7 billion in annual
sales and 22,000 employees operating in locations
throughout the United States and in 19 countries
worldwide.
Mr. Pitts joined the company immediately upon
graduation from Johns Hopkins University (B.E.S.)
in 1973. From 1973 until 1980, he worked in
Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems Engineering
in the areas of systems performance analysis
and mode development. This assignment included
threat analysis and development of a lightweight,
low-cost EW demonstration system that led to
what is now the Airborne Self-Protection Jammer
(ASPJ). In 1977, he obtained a Master of Science
degree in electrical engineering from Johns
Hopkins University.
In 1980, Mr. Pitts joined the Digital Signal
Processing organization as a supervisor, which
led to increasing levels of functional engineering
management responsibility. His assignments
included development of SIGINT systems, Light
Helicopter and Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF)
processor architectures, and the Pave Pillar
studies that defined the advanced avionics
architecture for what is now the F-22.
In 1987, Mr. Pitts was assigned to the Integrated
Systems business area, and in 1990 became deputy
general manager for the Systems Development
and Engineering Division. During this period,
he was responsible for the development of integrated
sensor systems, radar, EW and weapon systems.
In 1991 Mr. Pitts was named Vice President
of Avionics Systems for the sector. This included
product development and production for tactical
and fire control radars on the F-16, F-22,
B-1B, and C-130 platforms.
He accepted the position of Vice President,
Engineering and Manufacturing in December 1997.
This included responsibility for all engineering
and manufacturing operations for the Electronic
Sensors and Systems Sector.
In 2001, he was assigned to run the Aerospace
Division. This responsibility included the
company’s radar related business, as
well as most of the Army business within the
sector.
Mr. Pitts attended the Executive Forum at
INSEAD in 1995 and the Advanced Management
Program at Harvard in 1996. He holds three
patents in support of various electronic warfare
techniques and developments. Mr. Pitts served
as the Industry Co-Chair for Lean Aerospace
Initiatives. He served on the University of
Maryland Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees
for the Maryland Science Center; Johns Hopkins
National Advisory Council; and was a member
of the McDaniel College Corporate Advisory
Council (CAC). He served on the Board of Directors
for the United Way of Central Maryland (completed
term) and the Board of Directors for Carroll
County Hospital (completed term). On February
20, 2002, Mr. Pitts was awarded the Engineer
of the Year Award from UMBC College of Engineering.
He currently serves on the University of Maryland,
Baltimore County Board of Directors; Maryland
Business Roundtable for Education Board of
Directors, and as Vice Chairman of the University
of Maryland Medical System Board of Directors.
A native of Baltimore, Mr. Pitts was born
on April 22, 1951. He and his wife, Kay, have
three children and reside in Pasadena, MD.
