Phebe N. Novakovic

Phebe N. Novakovic
Name	Phebe N. Novakovic
Birth date	1957
Birth place	Ossining, New York
Nationality	American
Education	Catholic University of America (B.S.), Georgetown University (M.S.)
Occupation	Executive
Years active	1986–present
Known for	Chairman and CEO of General Dynamics

Phebe N. Novakovic is an American business executive and corporate leader known for her tenure as chairman and chief executive officer of General Dynamics. She has held senior positions across Central Intelligence Agency, United States Department of Defense, and the private sector, and is recognized for steering a major defense contractor through program deliveries, acquisitions, and budget cycles. Her career spans public service and corporate governance in sectors including aerospace, shipbuilding, and information technology.

Early life and education

Novakovic was born in Ossining, New York and raised in the New York City metropolitan area, later attending the Catholic University of America where she earned a Bachelor of Science in international relations before completing a Master of Science at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. She pursued studies that connected her to institutions such as the Kennedy School of Government and engaged with policy circles tied to the Central Intelligence Agency and Pentagon staffing pipelines. Early influences included interactions with officials from Congress, White House staff, and analysts associated with RAND Corporation and Brookings Institution.

Business career

Novakovic entered public service through roles at the Central Intelligence Agency where she was involved in operational and analytic assignments, later transitioning to the United States Department of Defense in senior acquisition and strategy capacities. She moved into the private sector with positions at United Technologies Corporation, FMC Corporation-related businesses, and consulting relationships with McKinsey & Company-adjacent firms and industry contractors such as Northrop Grumman and Boeing. Her private-sector career included executive leadership in aerospace and defense supply chains, commercial programs tied to Lockheed Martin suppliers, and management oversight at facilities linked to Bath Iron Works and Newport News Shipbuilding.

Leadership at General Dynamics

Joining General Dynamics in the early 2000s, Novakovic held senior roles including president of General DynamicsMission Systems and head of Gulfstream Aerospace-adjacent divisions before being named chief executive officer in 2013 and chairman in 2015. At the helm she directed major programs across Electric Boat, Bath Iron Works, and Gulfstream Aerospace, while negotiating contracts with agencies such as the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Her tenure involved strategic decisions on acquisitions, divestitures, and capital allocation affecting relationships with suppliers like Raytheon Technologies and customers including NATO members and allies such as United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Operational priorities included delivery of Virginia-class submarine modules, modernization of Stryker family vehicles in coordination with U.S. Army, and expansion of secure communications platforms for partners including National Security Agency and Federal Aviation Administration.

Board memberships and affiliations

Novakovic has served on corporate and nonprofit boards including Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, and advisory roles with Georgetown University and Catholic University of America. Her affiliations extend to industry groups such as the Aerospace Industries Association and consultative engagements with Congressional committees on procurement and acquisition reform, as well as participation in forums hosted by World Economic Forum and Aspen Institute. She has sat on compensation and audit committees alongside directors from firms like JPMorgan Chase, ExxonMobil, and General Electric.

Compensation and financial controversies

As CEO and chairman, Novakovic's compensation packages, including base salary, annual bonuses, stock awards, and long-term incentive plans, have been reported in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and scrutinized by investor groups such as Institutional Shareholder Services and Council of Institutional Investors. Shareholder proposals and proxy advisory recommendations have addressed pay-for-performance alignment amid defense budget fluctuations and contract timing with the Department of Defense. Critics and activists from organizations like Public Citizen and labor unions associated with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have sometimes challenged executive pay levels relative to workforce issues at shipyards and manufacturing sites.

Philanthropy and personal life

Novakovic and her family have contributed to educational institutions including Catholic University of America and Georgetown University, and supported veterans' causes associated with United Service Organizations and Wounded Warrior Project. She maintains residences in the Washington, D.C. area and has participated in civic activities in communities tied to Gulfstream Aerospace operations and Electric Boat facilities. Personal interests reported in profiles include engagement with professional mentorship programs, support for STEM initiatives at universities, and involvement in veteran employment transition efforts.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:American chief executives Category:General Dynamics people