CEO Today Business Women of the Year Awards

www.ceotodaymagazine.com 76 CEO Today Business Women of the Year Awards 2019 USA PHEBE NOVAKOVIC CEO of General Dynamics ABOUT PHEBE NOVAKOVIC Phebe Novakovic was inspired by her father’s story to aim for success. At the age of 17, he immigrated from Serbia to the US with just $50 in his back pocket – he went on to land a job in the US Air Force, despite not speaking a word of English. Phebe now heads General Dynamics, one of the largest defence contractors in the world. Under her reign, General Dynamics’ stock has grown by about 100% – and she’s got plenty more tricks up her sleeve! Phebe Novakovic is an American businesswoman and former intelligence officer. She serves as the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics. As of 2018, she is listed as the 25th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. She worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. From 1997 to 2001, she worked for the United States Department of Defense. She joined General Dynamics in 2001. She became President and Chief Operation Officer in 2012.She has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics since January 2013. She has sat on the Board of Directors of Abbott Laboratories since 2010.As of 2018, she is listed as the 25th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes,rising from 56th in 2015 and 65th in 2014. FIRM PROFILE Incorporated in 1952, General Dynamics is proud of its history serving the aerospace and defense communities. From 1952 to the 1990s, the company provided tanks, rockets, missiles, submarines, warships, fighters and electronics to all of the military services. In the early 1990s, we sold nearly our entire portfolio except for our military- vehicle and submarine businesses. Starting in the mid-1990s, we began expanding again by acquiring Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, combat- vehicle-related businesses, IT product and service companies and additional shipyards, forming the foundation of our company today. We continue to expand our business through organic growth and acquisitions. We focus on delivering superior products and services to our customers, and creating value for our shareholders through a relentless focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement. From Gulfstream business jets and combat vehicles to nuclear-powered submarines and communications systems, people around the world depend on our products and services for their safety and security. We offer a broad portfolio of innovative products and services in business aviation; combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; IT and C4ISR solutions; and shipbuilding and ship repair. General Dynamics is organized into five business groups: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Technology, Mission Systems and Marine Systems. We have a balanced business model which gives each business unit the flexibility to stay agile and maintain an intimate understanding of customer requirements. Each business unit is responsible for the execution of its strategy and operational performance. Our corporate leaders set the overall strategy of the business and manage allocation of capital. This unique model keeps us focused on what matters — delivering on our promises to customers through relentless improvement, continued growth, boosting return on invested capital and disciplined capital deployment. Our ethos undergirds our culture, our business model and our daily interactions. These values are a constant reminder of who we are and what we do. www.gd.com