Ronald D. Sugar, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman Corp., one of the nation’s leading defense contractors, has been elected to the University of Southern California board of trustees.

“Ron Sugar is an esteemed figure in his profession and a civic leader, and we are proud to have him as a member of our board,” said USC President Steven B. Sample, in announcing the election. “Trustees like Ron are key to USC’s leadership in the 21st century, as the university continues to make strides in engineering and the sciences.”

“As technology keeps advancing and evolving, the demand for a workforce educated in science and engineering will continue growing,” said Sugar. “As an engineer and a defense industry executive, I look forward to working with the USC trustees to shape the course for future engineering and technology professionals.”

Sugar, 55, became chairman of the board of Northrop Grumman in October, 2003, and chief executive officer in April 2003.

Previously, he was president and chief operating officer, having assumed that position in September 2001. He joined the company following its acquisition of Litton Industries Inc., a diversified defense and technology company.

He previously served as Litton’s president and chief operating officer and as a member of its board of directors.

Prior to joining Litton, Sugar was president and chief operating officer of TRW Aerospace and Information Systems, and a member of the chief executive office of TRW Inc., a global automotive, aerospace and information systems company. TRW Inc. was acquired by Northrop Grumman in December 2002.

In his nearly 20 years with TRW, Sugar also served as that company’s chief financial officer and as executive vice president and general manager of TRW’s global automotive electronics business. Earlier, he was vice president of TRW space communications division and played key roles in TRW’s advanced military, scientific and commercial space and electronics programs.

Sugar previously held technical and management positions with Hughes Aircraft Co., Argosystems Inc. and The Aerospace Corporation.

In 1968, Sugar graduated with honors in electrical engineering from UCLA, where he also earned master’s and doctoral degrees in the same field.

He subsequently completed executive education programs at Stanford University, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.

In 1996, he was honored by UCLA as Alumnus of the Year. In 2003, he received the University of Southern California’s Daniel J. Epstein Engineering Management Award.

Sugar is a trustee of the National Defense Industrial Association, a governor of the Aerospace Industries Association, a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He earlier was appointed by the President of the United States to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee.

Sugar serves as a national trustee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and is director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.

Northrop Grumman Corporation, a $25 billion global defense company, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With approximately 120,000 employees and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, it serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.

Contact Inga Kiderra at (213) 740-6156 or kiderra@usc.edu.