Louise Francesconi, MBA 1978
Made Raytheon the Preeminent Producer of Weapon Systems

A leader in the male-dominated aerospace industry, Francesconi three times earned a spot on Fortune magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in Business list, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women in Aerospace organization. She retired from Raytheon in 2008 after 12 years leading the company's Missile Systems business - the world's leading producer of weapon systems for the U.S. military and the allied forces of more than 40 countries. Francesconi's expertise in strategic planning, customer focus and operational excellence was seen as instrumental in making Raytheon Missile Systems the world's preeminent producer of weapon systems. A 31-year veteran of the defense industry, Francesconi received the 2008 John E. Anderson Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Additional Links
• Biography
• 2008 John E. Anderson Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
• Beyond the Classroom : Five Questions with Louise Francesconi
• Raytheon to Diversify
• Tuscon Citizen - Explosive growth doesn't satisfy Tucson's Raytheon
• Louise Francesconi Named Technology & Management Executive of Year