Leidos taps Boeing exec to be new CEO

Roger Krone has been tapped to be the new CEO at Leidos, replacing current CEO John Jumper, who will remain with the company as chairman of the board.

Effective July 14, 2014, Krone will leave his current role as president of Boeing’s Network and Space Systems business group and will begin to lead the national security, health and engineering company.

Jumper, who has led the company since March 2012, announced his retirement in February 2014 just a few months after the company split from SAIC in October.

While the transition was difficult, it went as well as it any complex split could go, Jumper told Washington Technology in a 2014 Top 100 interview. The company landed the No. 8 spot on the 2014 Top 100 Federal Prime Contractor list.

Krone currently leads 15,000 employees in the Network and Space Systems group, which focuses on electronic and information solutions; strategic missile and defense systems; satellites, space and intelligence systems; and space exploration activities, according to Boeing’s website.

His more than 30 year career also includes other senior program management and finance positions at Boeing, as well as similar roles at McDonnell Douglas Corp. and General Dynamics.

“Leidos employees deliver science and technology solutions that reflect high-priority, long-term global needs that positively impact society. Their commitment to solutions that matter is what motivated me every day,” said Jumper. “I look forward to remaining chairman of the board, and helping Roger take Leidos to the next level.”

Reflecting on his career, the current CEO told Washington Technology that he decided that it was best to step down after the transition away from SAIC was complete. Going forward, Jumper said that the company will be pursuing a number of international opportunities as well as the commercial cyber market.