Airbus Group, Inc. (formerly EADS North America) represents the North American activities of Airbus, the world's second-largest aerospace and defense company, and the largest in Europe. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, this American arm of the company participates in U.S. Department of Defense programs, in some cases as a prime contractor. The American unit operates under a Special Security Arrangement which allows it to work independently on some of the most sensitive United States defense programs despite its foreign ownership. It employs approximately 3,200 people and had 2011 revenues of $1.3 billion. , former Louisiana state superintendent of education, is chief counsel and corporate secretary.