3001: The Final Odyssey is a science fiction novel published in 1997 (the final book in the Space Odyssey series) that centers around the evolution of intelligence, aliens, earth domination and, well, you get the picture. And while not bent on global domination, 3001 Inc., a leading provider of geospatial data production and analysis, and Northrop Grumman have embarked on their own odyssey with today’s announced definitive merger agreement.

Is it just me or is “odyssey” one of those words that just doesn’t look like its spelled right? Something about the letter sequence looks out of place. And what does that have to do with today’s announcement? Nothing really, but I like to insert a random tangent once and a while just to see if everyone is paying attention.

While not always known as 3001, the company has been around for more than 40 years, and the company assumed its 3001 name in 1998 to convey its position as “the leading-edge geospatial provider of choice today and for the next millennium.”

The company is owned by its management and CM Equity Partners, and counts federal customers that include National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy Facilities Command, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 3001 also has numerous contracts supporting state and local governments.

For Northrop Grumman and Linda Mills, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman IT, the transaction, “will significantly complement our current core geospatial business,” adding in the press release that, “Its strong geospatial data collection, processing and production capabilities help us further address the critical needs and priorities across civilian, defense, intelligence, homeland security, energy and environmental business areas, from both domestic and international perspectives.”

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed; the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2008 and 3001 will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Information Technology (IT) sector. 3001 CEO Bart Bailey will continue to lead 3001 as part of Northrop Grumman.

Linda Mills has an impressive track record with Northrop Grumman. These days, as Corporate Vice President and President of Northrop Grumman IT, Mills oversees the company’s $4.5 billion information technology unit in McLean, Va. While times are uncertain for many in the government contracting space — due, in large part, to shrinking federal budgets and a looming presidential election — Mills is successfully leading the IT services component of the largest, fastest-growing division of the company. In an exclusive interview with ExecutiveBiz, Mills shares some key strengths that have helped her navigate her past and current roles, and how she’s making sure her unit’s technological initiatives stay relevant — and meet the challenges — in areas such intelligence, military, health care, and homeland security.

Your background speaks to a diverse array of business and management accomplishments — can you share a few highlights of your career before you joined Northrop Grumman in 2002?

Linda Mills: I have been fortunate to have held a variety of positions at Northrop Grumman — in both staff and operational roles — at corporate and sector levels, and on the east and west coast. This experience gave me an understanding of the breadth and depth of the capabilities of Northrop Grumman and its predecessor companies. One of the early development programs was a Navy Command and Control program which although bid out of our Space Park facility in California, was performed here on the east coast. Subsequent to this program, we established our sector headquarters for a sister sector that we now call Mission Systems, here in Virginia. It was exciting to be a part of seeing the whole company blossom and grow from its heritage and roots on the west coast to the east coast. It was history in the making.

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Earlier this month, Dan Johnson was elevated to President of General Dynamics Information Technology shortly after being named to the ExecutiveBiz Top Ten “Beltway Game Changers” list.

And now, after a storied career spanning nearly 30 years as a leading technology executive, Northrop Grumman Information Technology sector corporate vice president and president - and fellow Beltway Game Changer James O’Neill - is stepping aside. Effective May 1st - exactly four years to the day after he assumed the role - O’Neill will retire, with Linda Mills, who served as the sector’s vice president for operations and processes, succeeding him in that position.

As was the case with Johnson, I can logically deduce that the ExecutiveBiz distinction played a role in his decision. For all the accomplishments O’Neill can point to throughout his career, he held off retiring until receiving that one final, elusive accolade from ExecutiveBiz.

Ok, reality check time. It is more likely O’Neill felt the timing was right because his efforts the past several years had successfully put Northrop’s IT sector in a strong position for continued growth, and felt comfortable handing over the reigns of the $4 billion, 18,500 employee IT sector to an executive of Mills’ caliber.

Mills came to Northrop Grumman after the TRW acquisition in 2002 and will lead a premier provider of advanced information technology, engineering, and business solutions for domestic and international government clients. O’Neill will serve as a strategic adviser to Mills - who will report to Ronald Sugar, chairman and chief executive officer at Northrop Grumman - until his May 1 retirement date.

Brian Lustig is co-founder of Lustig Communications, a Rockville, MD-based communications firm that works with growing technology and government IT firms. Lustig is also a contributor to local business and industry publications.