LOS ANGELES, Feb. 18, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Nineteen Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) employees were recognized for their achievements in science, engineering and technology, and their leadership in the workplace and community at the national Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) conference held in Baltimore on Feb. 14-16.

George W. Reynolds, Northrop Grumman director of industry and university initiatives for engineering and manufacturing, was honored with the Corporate Promotion of Education award for his dedication to minority educational advancement in science, engineering and technology.

Art Lofton, vice president and chief information officer for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems (IS) sector, Patricia A. Newby, director of Airborne Warning Systems, and Hugh Taylor, the company's chief information officer and vice president of Information Technology (IT) Solutions for the company's IT sector, received Most Important Blacks in Technology awards, recognizing them as role models in engineering, technology, science, education and business. Fifteen Northrop Grumman employees received Modern Day Technology Leaders awards for shaping the future of engineering, science and technology and were also recognized at the BEYA conference: 

  *  Tes Akpovi, systems engineer
  *  Diona Bateman, process engineer and integrated product team
     lead for a manufacturing technology effort
  *  Arik D. Brown, antenna systems lead analyst
  *  Justin Brown, operations program manager
  *  Adesha Celestine, electronics engineer
  *  Luther Davis, electronics engineer
  *  Sheri Everett, systems engineer
  *  Cessily Greene, antenna test systems development manager
  *  Kevin Haynes, structural engineer
  *  Patrice Hughes, mechanical engineer
  *  Katrina Jackson, systems engineer
  *  Jabbar Miller, electrical engineer
  *  Candice Scarborough, software engineer
  *  Jenneca Ward, electrical engineer
  *  Luther Williams, mechanical engineer

"Northrop Grumman is proud of these employees, their career achievements and accomplishments," said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president of corporate responsibility for Northrop Grumman. "The company values employees who are committed to shaping the lives of future generations by demonstrating the importance of careers in math, science and technology fields. It is especially important that children of traditionally underrepresented groups see successful professionals who come from their backgrounds and cultures."

Reynolds, a 35-year veteran of Northrop Grumman, is responsible for developing sector-wide strategies in partnership with key universities to recruit top students. He coordinates research and provides consultation in areas important to critical programs while leveraging potential new business opportunities.

Reynolds has also served as industry liaison for the Lean Aerospace Initiative at Massachusetts Institute of Technology since its inception in 1992. In addition, he chairs numerous university boards, including the Business Industry Consortium at Alabama A&M University and the Engineering Advisory Board at North Carolina A&T State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Howard University and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Administration from George Washington University.

Lofton is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and leadership of all information system and information technology activities at the company's IS sector. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and has also completed several advanced management programs. He joined the company in 1990.

As director of Airborne Warnings Systems, Newby is responsible for all program operations in the development, production and support of radar applications for E-3 and E-767 programs. She earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration from Loyola University, Md., and has completed the Northrop Grumman Financial Management Program at Wharton Business School, the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School and the African-American Leadership Institute program at University of California, Los Angeles. She joined the company in 1975.

Taylor leads the company's IT strategy, ensuring that IT investments align with company goals, and he provides direction as the IT organization partners with customers and suppliers on innovative solutions that build top-line growth and bottom-line efficiencies for the company. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Marist College, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He also has completed a number of executive management, project management and leadership development courses during his more than 20-year career with Northrop Grumman.

The BEYA conference and award ceremony provides a forum for professionals to recognize the achievement of African-American leaders and addresses a variety of topics affecting black technologists such as career advancement, diversity programs and industry updates.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide. 

  CONTACT: Tom Henson
         Northrop Grumman Corporation
         (310) 201-3458
         thomas.henson@ngc.com