Christopher Long, Vice President, National Security Systems, Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems

Christopher Long’s 24-year career in space has been spent with Orbital ATK, recently acquired by Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems, and the heritage companies (Orbital Sciences Corporation, General Dynamics and Motorola Government Electronics), holding various engineering and management positions. In his current role, he oversees profit and loss responsibly all defense and intelligence programs with sales in excess of $200 million annually.

Before this position, Long spent two years as the vice president and general manager of Gilbert Operations where he oversaw roughly 350 employees and associated design and factory infrastructure. He also served as the director of advanced systems and as director of business development for Space Systems General Dynamics.

Long has been a member of the Leadership Innovation and Entrepreneur Program in Palo Alto, California for the past seven years. He is a member of Eta Kappa Nu, the international electrical and computer engineering honor society; Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association; National Defense Industrial Association, Association of Old Crows; and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Long has published multiple technical papers related to space communications systems. He has an MBA in high technology from the W.P. Carey Business School, Arizona State University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from New Mexico State University. With strong ties to the College of Engineering, Long is current chair of the Engineering Advisory Committee and a member of the Engineering Dean’s Executive Council.