L3Harris Names Kenneth Sharp as New CFO with $875K Base and $3.5M Equity Grant
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) announced March 2, 2026, that Kenneth Sharp will become Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective March 16, bringing extensive defense industry and public company experience to the $18 billion defense contractor. The appointment comes as current CFO Kenneth Bedingfield transitions to focus exclusively on leading the company's Missile Solutions segment.
The Change
Sharp, 55, will receive an annual base salary of $875,000 and is eligible for a 100% target bonus, putting his annual cash compensation potential at $1.75 million. The compensation package includes $3.25 million in annual equity grants at target, plus a one-time $3.5 million restricted stock unit grant vesting over four years to compensate for equity forfeited at his previous employer.
L3Harris is also providing a $1 million cash signing bonus subject to a 24-month clawback provision, along with relocation benefits including a $10,000 expense allowance. The total first-year compensation value, including the one-time grants, approaches $9.5 million.
The transition appears strategic rather than sudden, with Bedingfield moving to lead one of L3Harris's key business segments. The Missile Solutions division has gained prominence amid increased defense spending and global security concerns, suggesting the company wants dedicated leadership for this growth area.
Background
Sharp brings a robust financial and operational background spanning both public and private defense contractors. Most recently, he served as CFO of Peraton, a privately held national security company, since 2023. Prior to that role, he was Executive Vice President and CFO of DXC Technology Company, a publicly traded global IT services firm with approximately $16 billion in annual revenue, from 2020 to 2023.
His defense industry credentials run deep. From 2016 to 2020, Sharp held the position of Vice President and CFO of Defense Systems at Northrop Grumman Corporation, one of the nation's largest defense contractors. This role gave him direct experience managing the finances of complex defense programs and government contracts similar to those at L3Harris.
Sharp's career began at Ernst & Young as an auditor, providing him with fundamental accounting expertise. He also brings military experience as a Marine Corps veteran who served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He holds an MBA from The George Washington University and a BS in accounting from the University of Maryland.
The appointment follows L3Harris's recent strategic realignment efforts. The company, formed through the 2019 merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corporation, has been working to integrate operations and optimize its portfolio of defense and aerospace technologies. With approximately 46,000 employees and customers in over 100 countries, L3Harris ranks among the top 10 U.S. defense contractors.
What It Means
Sharp's appointment signals continuity in L3Harris's financial strategy while potentially bringing fresh perspectives from his recent private equity experience at Peraton. His background at DXC Technology, where he managed the finances of a company undergoing significant transformation, could prove valuable as L3Harris continues to integrate acquisitions and pursue organic growth initiatives.
The generous compensation package reflects both the competitive market for experienced defense industry CFOs and L3Harris's commitment to attracting top talent. The four-year vesting schedule on the $3.5 million equity grant and the two-year clawback on the signing bonus suggest the company expects Sharp to be a long-term contributor to its strategic objectives.
Bedingfield's transition to lead Missile Solutions rather than departing the company entirely indicates this is a planned succession that maintains institutional knowledge while allowing for specialized focus on a critical growth segment. The missile defense sector has seen increased investment amid rising geopolitical tensions, making dedicated leadership for this division a strategic priority.
For investors, the appointment maintains stability in financial leadership while potentially accelerating growth initiatives in the missile defense segment. Sharp's experience at both public and private companies could help L3Harris evaluate strategic alternatives, including potential acquisitions or divestitures, as the defense industry continues to consolidate.
The transition timing, with Sharp starting March 16, allows for what appears to be an orderly handover of responsibilities. His coverage under the same severance and change-in-control plans as other executive officers provides standard protections while aligning his interests with long-term shareholder value creation.
According to the SEC filing, Sharp's appointment was not made pursuant to any arrangement or understanding with any other person, and there are no family relationships between Sharp and any L3Harris director or executive officer, ensuring independence in the role.