If anyone makes a movie about Phebe Novakovic's life, Angelina Jolie is the favorite to play her on the big screen.
Just listen to her resume: operations officer at the Central Intelligence Agency, an official at the Department of Defense, and, since 2013, chief executive officer at General Dynamics (GD) -- a defense contractor that makes tanks, Gulfstream jets, submarines and Navy destroyers.
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Novakovic, ranked by Fortune as the 11th most powerful woman in business, even blows stuff up, at least in the financial sense. She's been blowing up the budget at previously-bloated General Dynamics by slashing costs.
The moves have paid off big time, with General Dynamics swinging back into profitability, growing margins and boosting its dividend. In fact, the company recently posted its highest earnings in history.
General Dynamics has rewarded Novakovic handsomely, shelling out a little over $19 million in total compensation each of the past two years. Even Jolie would be impressed with that payday.
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