Thomas A. Kennedy (Tom Kennedy) served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Raytheon Company from March 2014 to April 2020. A 38-year Raytheon veteran and former U.S. Air Force captain, Kennedy holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from UCLA and multiple patents for radar-based electronic warfare technology. He engineered Raytheon’s landmark merger with United Technologies Corporation, creating one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies. Named to the Executive Mosaic Wash100 list three consecutive years (2017–2019), Kennedy is now retired and serves on the board of directors at Textron Inc.

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Tom Kennedy – Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Thomas A. Kennedy was born in 1955 in the United States. He pursued a rigorous academic path in electrical engineering and technology, earning three degrees that laid the foundation for a career at the intersection of defense technology and executive leadership.

Kennedy earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Rutgers University in 1977. He then served as a captain in the United States Air Force, where he managed satellite launch vehicle avionics development. During his military service, he earned a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He went on to complete his Ph.D. in Engineering from UCLA in 1984, focusing on radar and electronic warfare technologies. He also obtained CERT certification in 1998.

Career Timeline

Tom Kennedy’s career spans over four decades, beginning with military service in the U.S. Air Force before joining Raytheon in 1983. He rose through the ranks from radar engineer to chairman and CEO of one of America’s largest defense contractors.

Tom Kennedy Career Timeline

CEO of Raytheon – Leadership & Achievements

Tom Kennedy became CEO of Raytheon Company in March 2014 after serving as COO and Executive Vice President. He was elected to the board of directors in January 2014 and added the Chairman title in October 2014. Under his six-year tenure, Raytheon achieved significant milestones:

• Raytheon–UTC Merger: Engineered and negotiated the landmark merger between Raytheon and United Technologies Corporation (UTC), completed in April 2020. The combined company, initially called Raytheon Technologies (now RTX Corporation), became one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense firms with revenues exceeding $60 billion.
• Business Restructuring: Led the consolidation of six Raytheon business units into four streamlined segments, improving operational efficiency and strategic focus.
• Cybersecurity Expansion: Expanded Raytheon’s cybersecurity offerings into the commercial market, positioning the company as a major player in both government and commercial cyber defense.
• Revenue Growth: Grew Raytheon’s annual revenue from approximately $23 billion to over $29 billion during his tenure.
• International Defense Sales: Secured major international defense contracts, including Patriot missile defense systems for allied nations.

Patents & Technical Achievements

Before moving into executive leadership, Kennedy was a hands-on engineer and program manager. He holds several patents related to radar and electronic warfare technologies developed during his decades at Raytheon. In 2003, he received the Aviation Week Laureate Award for his work on the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) program, a breakthrough technology in airborne radar systems.

Personal Life

Tom Kennedy, approximately 71 years old (born 1955), is an American military veteran, engineer, and business executive. He is married, and he and his wife have established a philanthropic foundation. Kennedy maintains a relatively private personal life despite his prominent career in the defense industry.

Since retiring from RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies) in June 2021, Kennedy has focused on advisory and board roles. He serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) since January 2023, where he sits on the Audit Committee and Organization & Compensation Committee. He also serves on the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering Dean’s Executive Board, advising on engineering education and research priorities.

What Is Tom Kennedy Doing Now? (2026)

Since his retirement, Kennedy has transitioned into advisory and board governance roles:

• Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) – Independent Board Director since January 2023; Audit Committee Financial Expert; received $317,500 in total compensation for FY2024 ($145,000 cash + $165,000 equity + $7,500 other)
• UCLA Samueli School of Engineering – Dean’s Executive Board Member, advising on engineering education and research

Tom Kennedy Net Worth 2026 – Raytheon CEO Salary

Tom Kennedy’s net worth is estimated at approximately $65–130 million as of 2026, based on his accumulated compensation over a 38-year career at Raytheon, substantial RTX stock holdings (over 362,000 shares worth approximately $61+ million), and board compensation from Textron. The wide range reflects varying estimates and fluctuating stock prices.

Raytheon CEO Compensation History

Raytheon Company – About the Company

The Raytheon Company was an American defense contractor and industrial corporation founded in 1922 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Raytheon was one of the world’s largest producers of guided missiles, defense electronics, and radar systems before merging with United Technologies Corporation in April 2020 to form RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX).

Contact Information

Tom Kennedy is retired from active executive roles. He can be reached through his board affiliations:

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Raytheon Competitors

During Tom Kennedy’s tenure as CEO, Raytheon competed with the following major defense contractors:

• Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) – World’s largest defense contractor
• Boeing Defense (NYSE: BA) – Major aerospace and defense systems
• Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) – Stealth technology and unmanned systems
• General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) – Marine systems, combat vehicles, IT
• BAE Systems (LON: BA.) – UK-based global defense firm
• L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) – Communication and electronic systems
• Thales Group (EPA: HO) – European defense and technology company

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Article last updated:January 2026March 4, 2026