Retired U.S. Army General John Nicholson is the Chief Executive for Lockheed Martin in the Middle East and was appointed in December 2021. Residing in Abu Dhabi, he is responsible for the company’s strategy, operations, and growth in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. General Nicholson last served as the Commander of all U.S. Forces and the 41 nation NATO-led Coalition in Afghanistan from 2016 to 2018.

Before that, he served as Commander of NATO’s Allied Land Command and Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. Commissioned in 1982, he served as an infantry officer at all levels with over six years in combat. He also lived in Europe and the Middle East for more than twelve years, forging close relationships with security leaders in those regions. 

Following retirement from active duty in November 2018, he became the President of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation supporting post 9-11 combat veterans, service members, caregivers, and their families.

He has been a mentor to U.S. general officers through the U.S. National Defense University and to NATO flag officers through the NATO Senior Mentor Program.

General Nicholson holds Bachelor’s Degrees from the United States Military Academy and Georgetown University and Master’s Degrees from the School for Advanced Military Studies and the National Defense University.