Phebe Novakovic

Phebe Nevenka Novakovic
Born	Phebe Nevenka Novakovic Template:Birth year and month
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive
Title	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Dynamics
Known for	Chairman and CEO of General Dynamics
Education	University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
Spouse(s)	David Morrison
Children	3
Awards	Smith Medal (2016)
Website	[https://www.gd.com/ Official site]

Phebe Nevenka Novakovic (born November 1957) is an American business executive and former intelligence officer who has served as the chairman and chief executive officer of General Dynamics Corporation, one of the largest defense contractors in the United States, since January 2013. Under her leadership, General Dynamics has grown into a corporation with a market capitalization exceeding $94 billion, maintaining a diverse portfolio that spans aerospace, marine systems, combat systems, and information technology. Before entering the private sector, Novakovic spent years in the Central Intelligence Agency and later served in the United States Department of Defense, gaining experience in national security and intelligence that would shape her career in the defense industry. She is one of a small number of women to lead a major American defense contractor and has been consistently recognized on rankings of influential business leaders, including Fortune's Most Powerful Women list and Forbes' list of the world's most powerful women.

Early Life

Phebe Nevenka Novakovic was born in November 1957. Her middle name, Nevenka, reflects her Serbian heritage, and her family background has been noted in coverage of her career in the defense industry. Novakovic's upbringing and early life experiences contributed to what would become a career defined by service in national security institutions and, later, in the upper echelons of American corporate leadership.

Before entering the private sector, Novakovic worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, where she served as an intelligence officer. The details of her time at the CIA remain largely classified, consistent with the agency's standard practices regarding the activities of its former personnel. Her work in the intelligence community provided her with an understanding of national security priorities, geopolitical dynamics, and the inner workings of the federal government — knowledge that would prove instrumental in her subsequent career in the defense industry.

Following her service at the CIA, Novakovic transitioned to the United States Department of Defense, where she held positions related to defense policy and strategy. Her government career gave her extensive experience working within the institutional frameworks that govern defense procurement, military planning, and interagency coordination. This background in both intelligence and defense policy set her apart from many corporate executives, equipping her with firsthand knowledge of the government agencies that constitute the primary customer base for defense contractors like General Dynamics.

Education

Novakovic earned her undergraduate degree from Smith College, one of the historic Seven Sisters colleges in Northampton, Massachusetts. She later pursued graduate studies in business, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most competitive business programs in the United States. The combination of a liberal arts education at Smith College and the rigorous quantitative and strategic training at Wharton provided Novakovic with both breadth and depth in her analytical and managerial skill set. Her academic credentials, paired with her intelligence and defense experience, positioned her for leadership roles in the defense-industrial sector.

Career

Government Service

Novakovic's career began in the public sector, where she served in two of the most consequential institutions in the United States national security apparatus. Her tenure at the Central Intelligence Agency as an intelligence officer was followed by service at the United States Department of Defense. The specifics of her roles in government have not been extensively detailed in public reporting, consistent with the confidentiality surrounding intelligence work. However, her government service has been widely cited as foundational to her understanding of defense policy and the needs of the U.S. military, which later informed her strategic decision-making at General Dynamics.

General Dynamics: Early Tenure

After leaving government service, Novakovic joined General Dynamics, one of the largest defense contractors in the United States, with operations spanning aerospace, combat systems, marine systems, and technologies. She rose through the ranks of the corporation over a period of years, holding a series of increasingly senior positions that gave her broad exposure to the company's diverse business lines. Her trajectory within General Dynamics reflected a pattern common among executives in the defense sector who combine technical and policy expertise with business acumen.

Prior to being named CEO, Novakovic served as executive vice president of the company's Marine Systems group, and later as president and chief operating officer of General Dynamics. These roles placed her in charge of some of the company's most complex programs, including the construction of nuclear submarines — programs that require coordination across vast supply chains, compliance with stringent regulatory requirements, and close collaboration with the United States Navy.

Chairman and CEO

Novakovic became chairman and chief executive officer of General Dynamics on January 1, 2013. She succeeded Jay L. Johnson, the former Chief of Naval Operations who had led the company since 2009. Her appointment made her one of the few women to lead a major American defense contractor, a distinction that has been noted frequently in media coverage of her tenure.

Under Novakovic's leadership, General Dynamics has pursued a strategy focused on operational discipline, cost management, and steady investment in its core business segments. The company operates through four main business groups: Aerospace, which includes the Gulfstream line of business jets; Marine Systems, which builds submarines and surface ships for the U.S. Navy; Combat Systems, which manufactures land combat vehicles and weapons systems; and Technologies, which provides information technology services and mission systems.

As of the third quarter of 2025, General Dynamics reported nearly $13 billion in quarterly revenue, including approximately $4 billion from its shipbuilding operations. By the second quarter of 2025, the company had accumulated a record backlog of $103.7 billion and a total estimated contract value of $161.2 billion, reflecting strong demand for its products and services across all segments. In the second quarter of 2025, the company reported 8.9% year-over-year revenue growth.

The company's market capitalization surpassed $94.5 billion as of late 2025, positioning General Dynamics among the largest defense firms globally. Third-quarter 2025 earnings exceeded analyst expectations, contributing to a surge in the company's stock price.

Columbia-Class Submarine Program

One of the most significant programs under Novakovic's leadership is the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program, which is designed to replace the aging Ohio-class fleet as the sea-based leg of the United States' nuclear triad. General Dynamics' Electric Boat subsidiary is the prime contractor for the Columbia-class program, one of the most expensive and complex naval construction projects in history.

As of October 2025, Novakovic reported that the first Columbia-class submarine, Template:USS, was more than 60% complete, with major modules scheduled to arrive at the construction facility. Novakovic described the following year as "pivotal" for the program, underscoring the critical nature of the submarine industrial base to both General Dynamics' business and to U.S. national security. Her commentary on the submarine industrial base has been a recurring theme in her public statements, reflecting the strategic importance of maintaining and expanding the workforce and infrastructure needed to build nuclear-powered vessels.

Public Statements on Government Policy

Throughout her tenure, Novakovic has been known for measured and direct public commentary on issues affecting the defense industry. In October 2025, she warned about the potential effects of a government shutdown on defense contractors and the broader industrial base, noting the disruption that spending uncertainty can cause to long-term programs.

In April 2025, when asked about the potential impact of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on the defense industry, Novakovic declined to offer specific estimates, stating that the level of uncertainty made any projection unreliable. Her response was characteristic of the pragmatic communication style she has been noted for throughout her career, emphasizing data-driven analysis over speculation.

Aerospace Industry Association Board Chair

In December 2025, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) selected Novakovic to serve as the chair of its 2026 board of governors. She succeeded Christopher Kubasik, the CEO of L3Harris Technologies, in the role. The AIA is the principal trade association representing aerospace and defense manufacturers in the United States, and the board chair position is one of the most prominent leadership roles in the industry outside of individual corporate leadership. Novakovic's selection for the role reflected her standing within the defense and aerospace sector after more than a decade leading General Dynamics.

Personal Life

Novakovic is married to David Morrison, and the couple has three children. She has maintained a relatively private personal life compared to many executives of similar prominence. In a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Novakovic discussed her beliefs in patriotism and resilience, themes that have been consistent throughout her public statements and that reflect her background in intelligence and defense.

Novakovic is of Serbian descent, as reflected in her middle name, Nevenka. Her heritage has been noted in media coverage, particularly in Balkan media outlets that have followed her career.

She has served on corporate boards outside of General Dynamics. She was a member of the board of directors of Abbott Laboratories, the global healthcare company based in Abbott Park, Illinois.

Recognition

Novakovic has received numerous accolades and rankings recognizing her influence in business and the defense industry.

She has been a regular presence on Fortune magazine's annual list of the Most Powerful Women in Business. In 2023, she was ranked 21st on the list. In 2025, she was again included on the list, one of three Virginia-based defense company CEOs to appear on the ranking that year.

Forbes has also recognized Novakovic on its list of the world's most powerful women. In 2023, she was ranked 29th globally on the Forbes list. In 2018, Forbes included her on its list of the world's most powerful women in business.

In 2016, Novakovic was awarded the Smith Medal by her alma mater, Smith College. The Smith Medal is presented to Smith College alumnae whose lives and work exemplify the purpose of a liberal arts education. The honor recognized Novakovic's achievements in business leadership and her career trajectory from intelligence work to the helm of a major corporation.

Her selection as the 2026 board chair of the Aerospace Industries Association further underscored her position as one of the most prominent leaders in the American defense and aerospace sectors.

Legacy

Phebe Novakovic's tenure at General Dynamics, spanning more than a decade as chairman and CEO, has been marked by consistent financial growth, strategic focus on the company's core defense and aerospace businesses, and the stewardship of some of the most significant military programs in the United States. The Columbia-class submarine program, in particular, represents a generational investment in the nation's strategic deterrent capabilities, and Novakovic's management of that program through its critical construction phases has been a defining feature of her leadership.

As one of a small number of women to lead a major defense contractor, Novakovic's career has been noted as significant within the broader context of gender representation in corporate America, and particularly in the male-dominated defense industry. Her path from intelligence officer to corporate chief executive represents an unusual career trajectory that has drawn attention from business and national security observers alike.

The company's record backlog of $103.7 billion and total estimated contract value of $161.2 billion as of mid-2025 reflect the scale of the enterprise Novakovic has overseen and the demand for the products and services that General Dynamics provides to military and commercial customers. Her leadership style, characterized by operational discipline and a reluctance to engage in speculation about uncertain policy environments, has been a consistent feature of her public communications and her management of the company through periods of both expansion and geopolitical change.