Northrop Promotions Include a Missile Post

Northrop has announced a number of management promotions, including the establishment of a new executive position for missiles.

Joseph T. Gallagher, 52, has been elected senior vice president-programs. Steven R. Smith, 60, succeeds Gallagher as corporate vice president and general manager of the aircraft division. James E. Kinnu, 57 has been named aircraft division deputy general manager for missiles, a new position.

Meanwhile, Welko Gasich, 66, executive vice president-programs, has retired. Gasich, along with Gallagher and other top executives, has been part of an inner circle of management that joined the firm in the mid-1960s when Northrop Chairman Thomas Jones came into power.

Gasich’s departure, however, comes amid a controversy about Northrop’s dealings in South Korea, in which he played a key role. The company, however, praised him for his “key technical and management role” during his 35-year Northrop career.

Gallagher has headed the aircraft division for five years and joined Northrop in 1964. Smith, who joined Northrop in 1955, will also remain as acting program manager of the YF-23 Advanced Tactical Fighter.