WASHINGTON, March 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has again been named to DiversityInc's annual list for the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. The company, which last year became the first defense contractor to make the DiversityInc list, was ranked 37th on the 2011 list and was recognized Mar. 2 at a dinner in Washington, D.C.
In its 11th year, DiversityInc magazine's ranking is the result of a comprehensive assessment of corporate diversity activities and represents one of the highest honors in the field. A total of 535 companies participated in this year's ranking, up 19 percent from last year.
"Just making this prestigious list last year was a considerable accomplishment," said Sandra Evers-Manly, vice president of Corporate Responsibility. "However, all of us at Northrop Grumman recognize that being a top-performing company means a continuing commitment to improving and strengthening our culture of diversity and inclusion.
"Our leaders and employees understand that diverse people, ideas, thoughts and decisions make us who we are, an innovative company dedicated to achieving the highest levels of performance in everything we do," she said.
To qualify for the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, companies must have more than 1,000 employees and fill out a detailed questionnaire based completely on empirical questions on CEO commitment, human capital, internal and external communications and supplier diversity. The list is editorially driven and completely based on metrics. Companies doing business with DiversityInc receive no advantage.
"Northrop Grumman moved up 10 spots on this year's list as its clear leadership commitment and improving human-capital demographics demonstrate the growing importance of diversity to this organization," said Luke Visconti, DiversityInc CEO.
Northrop Grumman has a number of initiatives to further diversity and inclusion throughout the company. These activities include:
- Employee Resource Groups, volunteer groups of employees who come together to provide members with opportunities for networking, community outreach, professional development and recruiting;
- Heritage Events, celebrations by Employee Resource Groups or Northrop Grumman business units of nationally recognized heritage months;
- Diversity Presentations, platforms for prominent speakers to meet with and create awareness for employees;
- Women's Conference, a two-day internal conference which includes speakers from Northrop Grumman's senior leadership team, panel discussions and nationally known speakers addressing topics such as leadership, development and work-life balance;
- Supplier Diversity, the efforts of the company's Socio-Economic Business Programs Office to connect prospective small disadvantaged businesses interested in working with the company's procurement organizations;
- Corporate Citizenship, programs focused on improving education, providing support for our troops and veterans, health and human services, and the environment; and
- Operation Impact, a Northrop Grumman program which provides transition support and employment to service members severely injured in the global war on terrorism.
Details on Northrop Grumman's diversity and inclusion efforts can be found at .
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit for more information.
CONTACT: Margaret Mitchell-Jones Northrop Grumman Corporate (703) 875-8330 m.mitchell-jones@ngc.com