Employees at Astrobotic Technology rank John Thornton in the Bottom 5% of CEOs in Pittsburgh, PA. Comparatively, employees at Northrop Grumman Corporation rank Kathy Warden in the Top 35% of CEOs in Washington, DC. Employees rate their CEO differently based on the frequency of interaction, ability to affect company culture, and drive measurable results.

John Thornton

CEO of Astrobotic Technology

BIO: John Thornton pioneered the lunar payload delivery business model. He has grown Astrobotic's business by attracting technology contracts, equity investment, and payload customers. Thornton led the development of Astrobotic’s Polaris lunar rover and Griffin lander. Thornton helped found the company with Red Whittaker in 2007. At Carnegie Mellon, Thornton led the build of Scarab, a NASA concept robot for lunar drilling, and the first robot to carry a prototype of NASA's RESOLVE payload.

Kathy Warden

CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation

BIO: Kathy Warden is chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman and a member of the company’s Board of Directors and Corporate Policy Council. Prior to her current role, Warden served as president and chief operating officer where she was responsible for the operational management of the company’s four operating sectors as well as its enterprise services organization. Her role encompassed all aspects of the company’s operations, including leading engagement with the senior customer community and partners around the globe. She also led the integration of Northrop Grumman’s new Innovation Systems sector. Previously, Warden served as corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems sector, a leading global provider of advanced solutions for defense and intelligence customers. She directed large-scale, mission-critical systems and complex hardware and software products within the U.S. and internationally. Prior to leading the Mission Systems sector, Warden was corporate vice president and president of the former Information Systems sector. She has extensive experience in operational leadership and business development in government and commercial markets. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman in 2008, Warden held leadership roles at General Dynamics and the Veridian Corporation. Earlier, she was a principal in a venture internet firm. Warden also spent nearly a decade with the General Electric Company working in commercial industries. Warden earned a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and a master’s degree in business administration from George Washington University. Currently, she serves as the chair of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and is a member of the Catalyst Board of Directors and the James Madison University Board of Visitors.