Litton Industries Elects New Chief Executive Officer

Woodland Hills-based Litton Industries Inc. directors elected Michael Brown as the company’s new chief executive officer, fulfilling its established succession plan.

Brown, 57, succeeds John Leonis, who led the firm’s expansion into information technology and other fields since he became CEO in 1995. Leonis will remain the company’s chairman of the board.

Brown has been Litton’s president and chief operating officer since 1995. He joined the company in 1968 as a marketing manager, then moved to its Electronic Warfare Systems and Electronic Devices and Materials groups.