Former Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Joins Carlyle Group

Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group has announced that Kent Kresa, the former Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation, has joined Carlyle as a Senior Advisor to its aerospace and defense group.

Kent Kresa (right) said, "I've known the Carlyle executives for many years and have an abiding respect for their approach and judgment. For years, Carlyle has played a significant role in the aerospace and defense market. Carlyle has a straightforward approach to its business and delivers on its promises. I'm delighted to be associated with them."

Mr. Kresa was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Northrop Grumman Corporation from September 1990 until October 2003. He served as Chief Executive Officer from January 1990 until March 2003, and President from 1987 until September 2001. In 1982 he was appointed Group Vice President of the company's Aircraft Group and in 1986 was named Senior Vice President-Technology Development and Planning. Mr. Kresa joined Northrop Grumman in 1975 as Vice President and Manager of the company's Research and Technology Center, developing new proprietary processes and products for the company. From 1976-82 he served as Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Ventura Division, a leader in the production of unmanned aeronautical vehicles.

Before joining Northrop Grumman, Mr. Kresa served with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, where he was responsible for broad, applied research and development programs in the tactical and strategic defense arena. From 1961-68 he was associated with the Lincoln Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.), where he worked on ballistic missile defense research and reentry technology.

Mr. Kresa has received many of the industry's and the government's most prestigious honors. He received the 2002 Howard Hughes Memorial Award by the Aero Club of Southern California for his significant contributions to the advancement of aviation and space technology. Aviation Week magazine honored him with its 2002 Laurel Citation for achievements in aeronautics/propulsion. In recognition of Mr. Kresa's outstanding leadership, Forbes magazine named Northrop Grumman "Company of the Year" in December 2002. Business Week magazine selected him as one of the nation's Top 25 Managers for 2001, and also in 2002, he was presented the California Institute of Technology's Management Association's Excellence in Management Award for demonstrating extraordinary vision and leadership. In 2002, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his significant contributions to our nation's heritage. Mr. Kresa and Northrop Grumman were named a "Manufacturer of the Century" in March 2000 by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.

Previously, Mr. Kresa was awarded the Department of the Air Force's Decoration of Exceptional Civilian Service in 1987, the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1974 and the Navy's Meritorious Public Service Citation in 1975. Also in 1975, he received the Arthur D. Flemming Award as one of the year's top ten people in the U.S. Government.

Mr. Kresa is a past President and an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and the past Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Aerospace Industries Association.

Mr. Kresa serves on the boards of directors of the Avery Dennison Corporation, Fluor Corporation, General Motors Corporation, Eclipse Aviation Corporation, Trust Company of the West, and Advanced Bionics Corporation. He is the Board Vice Chair of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County and serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and universities. Mr. Kresa is a Member of the M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory Advisory Board and a Member of the UCLA Anderson School of Business Board of Visitors.

Mr. Kresa, 65, earned his B.S., M.S., and E.A.A., all in aeronautics and astronautics, from M.I.T., and received an honorary doctorate of laws degree from Pepperdine University in 2003.

FMI: www.carlyle.com