To Air Force veteran Valerie, her work as an Operational Subject Matter Expert (SME) has always been rooted in her deep and unwavering commitment to giving back to her country, developing solutions to problems that she herself had experienced as a warfighter.
For some, service is a job. For others, like Operational Subject Matter Expert Valerie, it is a lifelong calling shaped by years in uniform and a deep sense of patriotism.
Val always felt drawn to the armed forces. She remembers being five years old, watching a parade of uniformed officers march through the main street of her hometown, Richmond, Maine for Memorial Day weekend. With national pride swelling in her chest, she immediately understood the honor of wearing the uniform.
Val was commissioned into the Air Force, after earning her bachelor’s in German at the University of Maine. She entered active duty in the intelligence field, where she quickly experienced the impact of new technologies on mission operations. Some were valuable, but others were inefficient to the practical needs of the warfighters.
That experience sparked a lasting commitment to improve systems from the inside. Val wanted to help shape technologies that truly served the people who rely on them. In her final assignment of active duty, she led the acquisition of emerging technologies for command and control. It was a pivotal role that deepened her belief in the value of operational expertise in emerging technology development, a passion that continues to guide her work today.
Finding a New Mission at Lockheed Martin
After more than 20 years of service in the Air Force, Val retired with a continued desire to support her country and sought job opportunities that would allow her to continue supporting her country with her operational skillset.
She found that opportunity at Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL). Since joining as Operational Subject Matter Expert in February 2019, Val has led the development of capabilities in command, control (C2) and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission threads. Her military background continues to shape how she approaches her work and the impact she strived to make.
Val remains committed to delivering capabilities that benefit the warfighter and provide for the country’s national security. With a strong connection to the armed forces and a vast internal community of veterans, she found a home that valued her transition from active service to industry.
Alongside her work in C2ISR, Val is part of a team with 90+ years of experience developing and applying leading edge technologies in areas of autonomy, robotics, artificial intelligence and more, with many research and development customers including U.S. government service laboratories and the U.S. armed forces.
One of Many
Val has always been driven by a deep sense of purpose and a desire to give back to her country. That mission didn’t end when she retired from the military. At ATL, she continues to make an impact by supporting the development of technologies that make a difference on the front lines.
She is one of many veterans at Lockheed Martin who have successfully transitioned from military service to industry. Their stories, like Val’s, reflect a shared commitment to advancing innovation, protecting national security, and serving something greater than themselves.
Val encourages others to share their own journeys and find new ways to continue serving.
Because at Lockheed Martin, service doesn’t stop at active duty. It becomes a driving force for innovation, leadership, and lasting impact.
Carrying the Mission Forward
Val’s journey is one example of how veterans bring purpose, perspective, and lasting impact to their work at Lockheed Martin. With real-world experience and a deep sense of duty, they help shape technologies that support those still serving on the front lines.
On Veterans Day and every day, we recognize the continued service of those who have worn the uniform. At Lockheed Martin, that commitment lives on in every project, every innovation, and every mission we support.