CNA Appoints Katherine McGrady as First Chief Operating Officer

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — CNA announced today that Dr. Katherine A. W. McGrady, formerly executive vice president and director of Research, is the company's first chief operating officer, effective immediately. Continuing to report to President and Chief Executive Officer Robert J. Murray, McGrady is responsible for the execution of CNA's strategy and business processes, assuring consistency of policy and approach across the organization, and maintaining an environment of accountability and high performance.

"Katherine's in-depth knowledge of the research, culture and business operations at CNA perfectly positions her for her new role as COO," said Murray. "She'll bring increased focus to our business processes and operations, and ensure that we continue to deliver the outstanding research our clients have come to expect from CNA."

McGrady began her career with CNA as an analyst in 1988, having received her Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from the University of Michigan. She served as a field representative to the Commander of Marine Forces Central Command and Commander, I Marine Expeditionary Force in the Persian Gulf during the first Iraq war (Desert Shield and Desert Storm).

She also deployed as part of the Unified Task Force to Mogadishu, Somalia. Subsequent assignments led to her selection as vice president and director, Integrated Systems and Operations (ISO) Division and director, Marine Corps Program. In 2004, she became the senior vice president for Research and, in 2006, executive vice president.