Tufts grad is named first female CEO of Arthur D. Little -- the world's oldest business consulting firm

Boston [08.15.01] -- Since its creation more than 115 years ago, the consulting firm of Arthur D. Little has built a long history of innovation. The first synthetic penicillin, the equipment to turn seawater into freshwater and the technology to convert fossil fuels into clean burning energy sources were all developed with the company's expertise.

   This week, the firm took another important step towards expanding that tradition of success, appointing a Tufts grad as its new CEO and charging her with leading the company into the 21st century.

   After six months as acting chief, Pamela McNamara was officially named CEO of Arthur D. Little [ADL] on Monday, reported the Associated Press. She is the first female to hold the top spot in the company's history.

   "McNamara, a Tufts university graduate in civil engineering, has made it to the top of one of the nation's largest technology consulting firms -- a highly competitive field traditionally dominated by men," reported the Boston Herald.

   With a reputation for strong leadership and hands-on involvement, McNamara is expected to make her mark quickly.

   "She rolled up her sleeves and things started to happen," a company spokesman told the Herald, describing McNamara's term as acting CEO. "She's chock-full of energy in a business that takes a lot of energy."

   That dedication will be particularly important as the Tufts grad helps ADL plan for the future in the slowing economy.

   Already, McNamara has helped the company cut costs by $20 million. At the same time, ADL has lined up several high-profile contracts, including a $60 million agreement to help the U.S. Army destroy chemical weapons.

   "Overall, the core businesses are healthy and we've done some belt tightening to make sure we have profitable operations," McNamara told the Associated Press.

   And that may mean returning to ADL's historical strengths.

   According to the Boston Globe, the company will continue "its traditional focus on high-tech consulting in food production, energy and pollution control."

   "We've gotten the firm properly focused on its real strengths in the marketplace, and our long-term prospect is to grow that business," McNamara told the Globe.