Donald C. Winter
Donald C. Winter, an American engineer, is the 74th Secretary of the Navy, sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2006.
Career
Dr. 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, he was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
From 1980 to 1982, he was a government official in the Department of Defense, as program manager for space acquisition, tracking, and pointing programs in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
In the 1980s, Winter served as president and CEO of TRW Systems, a major defense contractor, where he had earlier been vice president and deputy general manager for group development of TRW’s Space & Electronics business; and vice president and general manager of the defense systems division of TRW.
Prior to 2006, Winter served as a corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. In that position he oversaw operation of the business and its 18,000 employees, providing information technology systems and services; systems engineering and analysis; systems development and integration; scientific, engineering, and technical services; and enterprise management services. Winter also served on the company's corporate policy council.