Lockheed Martin's logo at a September defense industry exhibition in Kielce, Poland. Photo by Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lockheed details executive transitions in its enterprise, engineering functions
The defense giant's famed Skunk Works advanced development division is also getting a new leader.
Lockheed Martin is undertaking a series of changes in its corporate leadership team amid the pending retirements of three current members at the end of this year and in mid-January.
Maria Demaree, a 34-year Lockheed veteran and current national security space leader, will move up to become chief information officer for the corporation. Demaree will also begin work as senior vice president of enterprise business and digital transformation on Jan. 1, Lockheed said Monday.
Demaree will report to Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John and is taking up the role currently held by Yvonne Hodge, who is retiring from the company after 22 years there.
Hodge is responsible for developing strategies and implementing solutions for transforming Lockheed’s operations through technology, culture, and processes to deliver business-based outcomes.
Hodge also leads the corporation’s digital transformation and enterprise IT teams, plus the office of Lockheed’s chief data and analytics officer that comprises roughly than 5,200 professionals worldwide.
Dave Young will succeed Demaree as vice president and general manager of the national security space line of business, also on Jan. 1.
Rod Makoske, Lockheed’s chief engineer and senior vice president of engineering and technology, is retiring with his responsibilities slated to be divided up between two executives.
John Clark, vice president and general manager of the famed Skunk Works advanced development arm, has been appointed senior vice president for technology and strategic innovation. Clark’s new responsibilities will also include Lockheed Martin Ventures, the company’s arm for investing in promising technology startups.
Dr. Tony DeSimone, current vice president of enterprise engineering, was promoted to senior VP of enterprise engineering.
Clark will report to CEO Jim Taiclet. OJ Sanchez, currently vice president of the integrated fighter group, will succeed Clark as Skunk Works’ leader on Jan. 1.
Kevin O’Connor will succeed the retiring Maryanne Lavan as senior VP, general counsel and corporate secretary on Jan. 13. O’Connor is joining Lockheed from Carrier, where he most recently worked as chief legal officer.