Date posted: 11/10/2006*

On Nov. 8 at the 2006 Rdiversity Summit in Los Angeles, John Harris, vice president of Contracts and Supply Chain, was named Raytheon’s newest Executive Diversity Champion. As the fourth appointed champion, Harris succeeds Louise Francesconi, president of Raytheon Missile Systems, who has held the role since 2004.

“I am committed to lead us to accomplishing our vision to inclusion,” said Harris. “I love this company, and I am committed to working with you all in achieving what is imperative to the continued success of Raytheon. I do not have all the answers. I am going to be asking you for your assistance and perspective to help make our journey much faster.”

The Executive Diversity Champion is an appointed two-year rotational position held by a Raytheon officer reporting directly to Raytheon CEO Bill Swanson. The Executive Diversity Champion’s role is leading and supporting Raytheon’s corporatewide commitment to diversity. As Diversity Champion, Harris will lead Raytheon’s Executive Diversity Leadership Team (EDLT), which is involved in leading, driving and sponsoring diversity initiatives for the company in collaboration with the Raytheon Diversity Council (RDC) to provide leadership, direction and sponsorship of diversity strategy, programs and projects across Raytheon.

As vice president of Contracts and Supply Chain, Harris is charged with driving the direction and performance of both organizations and for development and implementation of global Supply Chain solutions for Raytheon customers.

Harris joined Raytheon in 1983 as a member of the Contracts Leadership Development Program. Throughout his 22-year Raytheon career, he has held positions of increasing responsibility, including deputy division manager of Contracts for Raytheon Electronic Systems and vice president of Contracts for Raytheon Technical Services Company.

Harris is a member of the board of trustees of Merrimack College, the board of advisors for the National Contract Management Association, a member of the Executive Leadership Council and Foundation, the board of directors for the Urban League, the board of directors of Exostar and the Procurement and a member of the Finance Executive Council Committee of the Aerospace Industries Association. For two consecutive years, he has been one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America.”

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