Fort Worth, Texas, 03-MAR-00 -- Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company today announced appointments of the management team that will lead the new, consolidated company into the 21st century. The positions are effective immediately.

Dain M. Hancock, LM Aeronautics president, named four experienced aerospace industry executives to the key management positions that comprise the company’s senior executive office:

• C.T. (Tom) Burbage, executive vice president for Customer Requirements
• Robert T. Elrod, executive vice president for Programs
• John C. McCarthy, executive vice president for Finance, and
• Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president for Operations.

These individuals were selected on the basis of their broad experience and proven track record of leadership in the aerospace industry, Hancock said. We feel strongly that we have selected leaders with the depth, energy, vision, and customer and business focus we need to carry our company forward in the exciting period that lies ahead.

In addition, Lockheed Martin named a group of individuals to senior-level positions overseeing the various business programs and departmental functions of the new company, which is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. These personnel previously served in positions throughout the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics business area, its companies and elsewhere in the corporation.

Our goal was to select people with the strongest capabilities in each discipline, and I believe we have achieved that, Hancock said. Additional staff assignments will be announced in the coming months as more decisions are made about the company organization.

Burbage began his career with Lockheed Martin in 1980 and served for the last year as president at Marietta. Heath has been with the company since 1975 and most recently served as executive vice president at Fort Worth. Elrod began his Lockheed Martin career in 1978 and most recently served as president at Palmdale. McCarthy joined Lockheed Martin in 1986 and most recently served as vice president and chief financial officer of the Aeronautical Systems business area.

Burbage and Elrod will continue to act as site managers for LM Aeronautics in Marietta, Ga., and Palmdale, Calif., sites, respectively.

Lockheed Martin announced the formation of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company on Jan. 27, outlining plans to consolidate administrative functions and eliminate duplicative activities among multiple company sites in the aeronautics line of business.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Products include the F-16, F-22, C-130J, F-117, U-2, and X-33/VentureStar and Joint Strike Fighter demonstrator programs, among other renowned aircraft. The Aeronautics Company is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.