CEO appointed for Northrop Grumman Saudi business

In this new position, Abukhaled will be responsible for leading the company's operations in the Kingdom, accelerating growth and exploring opportunities for public-private partnerships. This will include coordinating the company's relationship with Saudi Arabia and providing strategic support to the company's Middle East business activities, the company said.

Prior to his government role Abukhaled was president and chief executive officer of General Electric (GE), Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, during which time he led the company's operations and strategy for growth. Before joining GE, he worked for BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia in a career that spanned more than 20 years and was most recently director of portfolio management. In this position, he was posted to the U.K. for two years to develop strategies for growth and inward investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. 

"Northrop Grumman has a long history of partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Walid brings experience of growing capabilities in a multinational industry environment and extensive knowledge of Saudi Arabian and Middle East affairs that will enable us to build on this important relationship," said David Perry, Northrop’s corporate vice president and chief global business development officer. "His appointment will enhance significantly our in-country presence and position the company for success in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region as we continue to broaden our global market focus."

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Abukhaled has been active in the Saudi Arabian business community, serving as a member of the US-Saudi Arabian Business Council and the American Business Group in Riyadh. In 2011, he was named by the research group Naseba, as one of the top three "Revolutionary CEOs in the Middle East."

Abukhaled earned a bachelor's degree in industrial management and systems engineering from the University of South Florida, Tampa.