Dr. Laura Hooks is vice president and general manager Maritime and Strategic Systems (M&SS) for General Dynamics Mission Systems. In this role, she leads a diverse array of programs serving the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Air Force, restricted customers, various government labs and a variety of international and commercial customers. The M&SS business performs electronic systems integration for submarines, surface ships, unmanned underwater vehicles, and unmanned surface vehicles as well as the design, build and support of a broad array of surface, air, and strategic subsystems. The business has substantial focus on open architecture computing, system integration, autonomy, RF sensor processing, secure computing, and integrated software solutions for various platforms. The M&SS business employs over 3,000 professionals at multiple locations across the country.
Previously, Dr. Hooks served as the vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Ground Systems line of business. She also served as the vice president of the Strategic Systems business area within the M&SS line of business where she supported the hypersonics and strategic deterrence missions for the Navy and Air Force. Dr. Hooks provided leadership for more than 1,400 employees across many programs, including launch control systems for ground based and submarine launched nuclear ballistic missiles, weapon system security solutions, guidance, navigation and electronic systems, high assurance communications systems and international work for the UK and Egypt.
Prior to working at Mission Systems, Dr. Hooks was the director of engineering at General Dynamics Electric Boat for the Integrated Product Development Environment program, responsible for implementation of a model-based environment to design, build and sustain all submarine programs. Dr. Hooks also served as director of engineering, Waterfront, where she was responsible for construction support of all new construction and overhaul and repair submarines in the shipyard. Prior to that, Dr. Hooks was director of engineering, Combat and Weapon Systems responsible for Non-Propulsion Electronic Systems on all classes of submarines and the Strategic Weapon Support Systems for Ohio and Columbia class.
Prior to working at Electric Boat, Dr. Hooks served as director of engineering for Mission Integration Systems at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. She was responsible for leading more than 1,500 engineers covering domains from undersea to space. Dr. Hooks led the engineering council, setting the strategic vision for over 4,000 engineers. She supported the General Dynamics Corporate Engineering Council throughout her career as director of engineering providing thought leadership on innovation and best practices across the corporation.
Dr. Hooks holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She was recognized as the Large Business Innovation and Leadership Woman of Innovation in 2014 by the Connecticut Technology Council and holds two patents. She serves on the boards of the Naval Submarine League and the National Defense Industrial Association – New England Chapter, and previously served on the Board of Regents for the Strategic Deterrent Coalition