One of the country’s most well-known and respected internal auditors is retiring after a bright career of working to improve the state of the internal audit profession. Larry Harrington will step down as vice president of internal audit of Raytheon on September 4. He will be succeeded by Jeanette Hughes, who currently serves as vice president of internal audit at Ingram Micro Inc.
During his tenure at Raytheon, Harrington was a frequent speaker at seminars on auditing, change management, negotiation, and people development and motivation. His work serving as the company’s diversity champion, as well as roles as executive champion for the company’s Young Employee Network and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies employee resource groups, helped advance the cause of diversity and inclusion at Raytheon.
He also served as global chairman of the Institute of Internal Auditors from 2015 to 2016, where he urged internal auditors to enhance their value by undertaking professional development opportunities. Earlier this year, the IIA inducted Harrington into the American Hall of Distinguished Audit Practitioners. “Larry’s energy, passion and sense of urgency are contagious,” said IIA CEO, Richard Chambers, upon Harrington’s induction. “He is a standout leader in our global organization and has been a tireless mentor to auditors at all career stages.”
Before joining Raytheon in 2004 he was vice president of human resources and vice president of health operations at Aetna and was chief audit executive for several global Fortune 500 companies, including Staples, Aetna, and LTV.
“I want to thank Larry for his service to our board and our company,” said Raytheon Chairman and CEO Tom Kennedy. “Under his leadership, the Internal Audit function has transformed into an indispensable partner, and our diversity and inclusion efforts were greatly expanded and strengthened. He has been a valued team member for more than a decade and we wish him well in retirement.”
Changing of the Guard
Somewhat surprisingly, Raytheon went outside to replace Harrington, bringing in Hughes from Ingram Micro. “I am pleased to welcome Jeanette to Raytheon,” said Kennedy. “Her extensive global expertise and experience in supporting business expansion will build upon our legacy of audit excellence and risk mitigation as we execute our global growth strategy.”
Hughes joined Ingram Micro in 2006, leading internal audit using a risk-based approach and introducing data analytic strategies to improve risk identification and audit efficiencies. During her tenure with the company she supported audit strategies in a time of significant business expansion into new geographies and lines of business, operating in 52 countries. Hughes and her team provided independent assessment of financial, operational, and legal compliance controls on a global scale.
Prior to her current role, Hughes served as SVP and chief audit executive at ACE Limited (now Chubb Ltd.). From 1995-2002, she served in roles of increasing responsibility at Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance, including EVP and group chief auditor based in the United Kingdom. Hughes began her career in public accounting at Coopers and Lybrand (now PWC). She is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in science with concentrations in finance and accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. 
If you have worked with Larry or know him, let’s hear from you. What did you learn from him, and what is his legacy and lasting impression on the internal audit profession?