Robert Lightfoot, former acting administrator of NASA, has been appointed vice president of strategy and business development at Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) space segment in a move that will take effect May 6.
He will oversee new business strategy, technology concepts and strategic planning activities for the space business area, which covers communications, missile warning and GPS satellite programs for the Pentagon as well as human and robotic exploration platforms for NASA, Lockheed said Monday.
“Robert’s insights and expertise will be crucial to the continued transformation of our space portfolio as we embrace new technologies and new business models. He will shape and drive a strategy that will help us deliver the breakthrough innovations and capabilities our customers need as we enter a new space age,†said Rick Ambrose, executive VP of Lockheed’s space segment and a 2019 Wash100 winner.
Lightfoot held leadership positions at NASA such as director of the Huntsville, Ala.-based Marshall Space Flight Center and head of propulsion test at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. He has served as president of LSINC since his retirement from NASA in April 2018.
Lightfoot’s appointment is part of a string of executive moves related to Lockheed’s strategy and business development efforts.
Doug Laurendeau, a 35-year Lockheed veteran, has been named VP of strategy and business development at the company’s rotary and mission systems business.
Ken Kota, who previously worked at Cobham’s mission systems sector, will oversee domestic and international business activities as strategy and business development VP at Lockheed’s missiles and fire control business.
Mike Smith, who previously worked at Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII), will serve as VP of strategic planning at Lockheed.
Erin Moseley, a former executive at Inglee Sauer Moseley Strategies, has been named VP of strategy and business development at Lockheed’s aeronautics business.
