Northrop Grumman names executive to manage IT contract

By: Olympia Meola | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: July 12, 2011

Northrop Grumman is installing a new executive in Virginia to manage its massive IT contract with the state – the fourth project manager since the defense giant secured the state's richest-ever privatization contract in 2005.

Jim Kane will replace Sam Abbate, the current manager, as of Sept. 19.

Kane has worked for Northrop Grumman for 17 years, most recently as the director of information technology services on the U.S. Missile Defense Agency Joint National Integration Center Research and Development Contract program, where he was responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the program's IT organization, according to the company.

He will be the contractor's eyes and ears at the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, which hired it to modernize and run the executive branch's IT infrastructure. The project has been plagued by delays, cost overruns and management squabbles that spurred turnover and eventually led state lawmakers to revamp the management structure.

Abbate took the job over after Douglas J. McVicar was shuffled out following a massive reorganization at VITA.

"Jim is a recognized technologist and leader in program management, IT support systems, and infrastructure, manufacturing and engineering solutions," said Linda Mills, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

"His technical and program management expertise will help further the Commonwealth's modern and robust infrastructure."