FORT WORTH, Texas, October 21st, 1998 -- Luke J. Gill has joined Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems as vice president of product support, responsible for the company's worldwide business providing logistical support for the 19-country F-16 fleet. Gill's organization is also responsible for aspects of F-111, F-2 and F-22 aircraft support, and is developing logistics concepts for the next-generation Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Gill most recently served as vice president of maintenance and engineering at the headquarters of Southwest Airlines in Dallas, where he led the development of a complete maintenance modernization program for the airline. He has also served in key product support and logistics positions at Northwest and Continental Airlines, preceded by a 24-year career as a maintenance officer in the U.S. Air Force.

Gill succeeds W.B. "Zim" Zimmerman, who announced his retirement after a 34-year career with Lockheed Martin, Lockheed and General Dynamics at the Fort Worth plant.

"Luke Gill has an impressive record of performance in the product support, logistics and maintenance areas, and his highly successful experience in the commercial arena will be invaluable as we continue the development of next-generation aircraft support concepts," said Dain M. Hancock, president of Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems.

"We wish all the best to Zim Zimmerman as he completes a company career that included many outstanding accomplishments in the F-111 and F-16 aircraft programs," Hancock added. "Zim's leadership has been key to the outstanding record of reliable logistics support that is enjoyed by the worldwide F-16 fleet."

Gill holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering-aeronautics from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in business administration and personnel management from Webster University of St. Louis, Missouri. He began his airline career in 1990 after retiring from the Air Force with the rank of colonel, and joined Southwest Airlines in 1995.

He has served as chairman of the Engineering Maintenance and Material Council of the Air Transport Association, as a member of the Aerospace Council for the Society of Automotive Engineers and as a board member of the Performance Review Institute. Gill also served as a member of Boeing's airline advisory board and led industry efforts to bring the next-generation 737-700 into service.

Hancock said Gill's management experience at Southwest Airlines, which has been recognized as one of America's best places to work, will also be helpful in Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems' "Workforce Vitality" initiatives. The Fort Worth plant has established the initiatives to help prepare its workforce and workplace for the aircraft programs of the 21st century.