Northrop names Leidos vet Ann Addison as HR lead

Northrop Grumman said Thursday it has appointed current Leidos Chief Human Resources Officer Ann Addison to the same position in a move slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2019.

Addison will initially join Northrop on Oct. 22 in a transitional role as a corporate vice president reporting to current Chief Operating Officer Kathy Warden, who will become CEO also on Jan. 1. Addison will succeed Denise Peppard, who will then officially retire from Northrop in March 2019.

Prior to Leidos, Addison led HR functions for the former Lockheed Martin IS&GS services business. She joined Leidos as chief HR officer upon its merger with IS&GS two years ago.

Soon-to-retire Northrop CEO Wes Bush said in a release the company sought Addison's "background in human resources, information systems, diversity, analytics and experience working with boards of directors."

Leidos executive George Reiter will lead all HR functions in an acting capacity as the company searches for Addison's successor, according to an internal note for employees from CEO Roger Krone.

In that memo obtained by WT, Krone credited Addison with her work to guide "(Leidos) through the merger with IS&GS," plus helping "shape and grow our ability to hire and retain talent and Leidos."

"She has also been instrumental in increasing our focus on diversity and inclusion," Krone added.

Peppard has worked as Northrop’s chief HR officer for seven years.