Richard P. Van Rees is the Northrop Grumman Corporate Lead Executive (CLE) for the greater Ft. Walton Beach, and the Director for the Systems and Software Integration Division (SSID) and the Defense Enterprise Solution (DES) Business Unit for the Information Technology Sector.
In this capacity as CLE he is responsible for providing a single face to the customer for all aspects of Northrop Grumman Corporation, as well as promoting close communications among all Northrop Grumman organizations in the area. Mr. Van Rees provides leadership for the growth of the Ft. Walton Beach division, exploring/capturing new markets, expanding core competencies, improving internal processes, actively engaging new and current customers and mentoring high-potential staff members for future career growth.
SSID is headquartered in Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., with operating locations at Langley AFB, Va., Stennis Space Center, Miss., Tyndall AFB, Fla., NAS Fallon, Nev., Eglin AFB, Fla. and Huntsville, Ala. Business lines within SSID include Command & Control Training and Operational support, Test & Evaluation, Defense Acquisition Management, and Information Technology Applications Development & Network Services.
Mr. Van Rees started his career as a United States Air Force fighter pilot, where he served at all levels of command to include Squadron, Wing and Numbered Air Force. He was an Operational Test and Evaluation test pilot in the mid-1980�s, and director of two Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) chartered Joint Test and Evaluations. Following military retirement after 29 years of dedicated service and prior to assuming his position at Northrop Grumman, he was employed by FEDEX Corp.; Boeing Corp.; Sverdrup Corp. and Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) in ever increasing managerial roles.
While at SRC, Mr. Van Rees led the multi-contractor team supporting OSD�s Joint Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Joint Test and Evaluation. He holds a bachelor�s degree in economics from Colgate University and an MBA (with honors) from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides a broad array of technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding, and space technology. The company has more than 125,000 employees and operates in all 50 states and 25 countries and serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers. |