Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush to step down

Published Thu, Jul 12 20186:27 PM EDTUpdated Fri, Jul 13 20185:07 AM EDT

Key Points

Northrop Grumman chairman and CEO Wes Bush announced on Thursday he will step down as CEO effective Jan. 1, but will remain chairman through July 2019.
Kathy Warden, who currently acts as company president and COO of the global security company, will assume the role vacated by Bush in January

Northrop Grumman President and CEO Wes Bush delivers keynote remarks.

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Northrop Grumman said on Thursday its Chief Executive Officer Wes Bush would step down, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

The company said its board has elected Chief Operating Officer Kathy Warden to take over Bush's role early next year.

Warden joined the company in 2008 and served in several roles, including vice president and general manager of its cybersecurity business, president of its former Information Systems sector, and president of its Mission Systems sector.

Northrop said Warden will join the board of directors, effective immediately.