Leidos announced on 27 February 2023 the appointment of Thomas Bell as CEO, expected to be effective 3 May 2023.
Thomas Bell, who is the current President – Defense Rolls-Royce, Chairman and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America, will succeed current Chairman and CEO of Leidos Roger Krone, who has served in the role since 2014.
Roger Krone will retire as Chairman at the time of the Leidos 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, and CEO when Bell’s appointment becomes effective. The Board expects to appoint Robert S. Shapard as the independent, non-executive Chair after the annual meeting.
To facilitate a seamless leadership transition, Krone will continue as a fully employed advisor through July of this year. Bell was selected by the company’s Board of Directors following a thorough process to select a successor.
“Tom’s exceptional track record in harnessing the power of technology to drive growth and innovation, with his strong leadership skills and focus on understanding the needs of the customer, has resulted in a consistent record of success and value creation in both products and services,” said Bob Shapard, Lead Director of the company’s Board. “His deep understanding of many of our customers will facilitate a smooth transition.”
Prior to his current role, Bell was Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for defence, space and security at The Boeing Company. Before joining Boeing in 2015, he was President of Rolls-Royce Defense Aerospace, having joined as President, Customer Business, North America in the middle of 2012.
“Roger Krone’s impact on Leidos and its customers will be felt for years to come. Under his leadership, Leidos has achieved tremendous growth, evolved its business strategy, and made a positive difference in the lives of countless people around the world,” added Shapard. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend our deepest gratitude to Roger for his nearly nine years of dedicated service. He has left an indelible mark on our company and our culture, and we are a better organisation because of his leadership. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
“Working with the extraordinary people of Leidos has been the honor of my career. Their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our mission have been the driving force behind our success. I want to thank them for the privilege of serving as their leader for nearly nine years, and for inspiring me with their passion, their brilliance, and their unwavering commitment to excellence,” concluded Roger Krone.
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