Donald C. Winter

Donald Charles Winter, of Virginia, was nominated August 16, 2005, by President George W. Bush to be Secretary, Department of the Navy, to replace Gordon R. England.

His nomination was sent to the Senate on September 6, 2005, and his status is pending.

Government-Industry Revolving Door Donald C. Winter is currently corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. He was previously president and CEO of TRW Systems and worked at DARPA as program manager for space acquisition, tracking, and pointing programs. 

"Given the time demands of the confirmation process and to avoid any perception of conflict of interest, [Northrup Grumman announced August 16, 2005, that] Winter [would] step down immediately from his current position. Until the hearings are concluded, he will report to Ronald D. Sugar, Northrop Grumman's chairman, chief executive officer and president, as an executive advisor to the CEO's office." 

Profiles
"Winter was president and CEO of TRW Systems from January 2000 until its acquisition by Northrop Grumman in 2002. During 1998 and 1999, he served as vice president and deputy general manager for group development, S&E. In that role, he managed S&E’s business development, including the unit's marketing, planning, international, engineering, and technology functions.

"Winter rejoined TRW in 1982 and held senior systems engineering and program management responsibilities for a variety of space system programs. From 1990 through 1997, as vice president and general manager of the defense systems division of TRW’s Space & Electronics (S&E) business, Winter directed space systems activities that supported the national defense effort. These activities included prime contracts for development and deployment of space systems, systems engineering and support, operations and maintenance, and development of advanced technologies directly related to new and evolving systems.

"From 1980 to 1982, he was with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as program manager for space acquisition, tracking, and pointing programs. During that period, he was awarded the Secretary of Defense medal for meritorious civilian service. Winter began his TRW career when he joined the TRW Systems group research staff in 1972. He spent the next eight years directing research and development activities in laser physics and applications.

"Winter serves on the board of directors for the USO of Metropolitan Washington and the Wolf Trap Foundation and on the board of governors for the Electronic Industries Alliance.

"Winter earned a bachelor’s degree (with highest distinction) in physics from the University of Rochester in 1969. He received a master’s degree and a doctorate in physics from the University of Michigan in 1970 and 1972, respectively. He is a 1979 graduate of the USC Management Policy Institute, a 1987 graduate of the UCLA Executive Program, and a 1991 graduate of the Harvard University Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security. In 2002, Winter was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering."

Source: Winter's Northrup Grumman biography.

SourceWatch Resources

 * government-industry revolving door
 * Star Wars
 * weaponization of space