DENVER, Colo., 16-DEC-03 -- Stevan L. West has been named 2003 Outstanding Volunteer by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company for his work with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to promoting and enabling citizens and visitors to be active stewards of Colorado's public lands.

West and others were recently honored by Lockheed Martin through its Volunteers are Important People (VIP) program that recognizes employees for community service.

West, associate manager, Operations, has been involved in more than 100 VOC projects throughout the state during his 12 years of service. His work ranges from scouting potential projects, teaching other volunteers in building and trail maintenance techniques, and serving as project team leader on trail construction projects in numerous sites, including Spanish Peaks Wilderness area, Colorado National Monument and Cheesman Canyon. West has logged more than 1,000 hours for VOC this year.

West considers his work with VOC as enjoyable and entertaining. It's like a vacation every time I go out on a project, he says. Colorado has a wonderful diversity of people and environment, and I get to go to places I might not otherwise have an opportunity to see. West says he continues to be amazed at how much can be accomplished when a group of people work together on a common goal.

Lockheed Martin donated $1,000 to the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado on behalf of West.

Tom Marsh, executive vice president, Space Systems Company, praised the volunteers saying, I am inspired and proud of our employees' devotion to community service. These are the same people who work long hours to successfully reach a business objective. It's not surprising that their voluntary work reflects that same level of commitment.

Lockheed Martin employees contribute thousands of hours each year to community organizations representing a wide diversity of interests, including youth mentoring, environmental improvement, volunteer fire fighting and educational activities. In addition to all the individual volunteer efforts, teams of employees also demonstrate a commitment to community causes. More than 60 employees participated in the 2003 MS 150 bike race and raised $49,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Association. Celebrating its 45th year of service to the community, the company's employee-organization, Operation Santa Claus, will deploy a mass of employees on December 18 to deliver food and gifts to more than 250 under-privileged families in metro Denver.