Northrop Grumman taps new leader for Saudi business

Northrop Grumman has named Walid Abukhaled chief executive Saudi Arabia, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

In this role, Abukhaled will lead the company’s operations in Saudi Arabia, looking for opportunities for public-private partnerships, including coordinating the company’s relationship with Saudi Arabia and providing strategic support to Northrop’s Middle East business activities.

Abukhaled was most recently deputy minister for industrial affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He previously served as president and CEO of General Electric in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He has also worked at BAE Systems.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial management and systems engineering from the University of South Florida, Tampa.