More than 20 percent of Lockheed Martin‘s executive positions are filled by women, the Washington Business Journal reports.
According to Jill Aitoro’s report, the total percentage of women employees is nearly 26 percent.
Marilyn Hewson, current head of the electronic systems business, told Aitoro that CEO Bob Stevens has created a culture that encourages professional development of women.
Hewson will become chief operating officer in January 2013, when current COO Chris Kubasik succeeds the retiring Stevens as CEO.
She was set to become the highest-ranking woman executive in defense contracting until General Dynamics announced COO Phebe Novakovic will succeed the retiring Jay Johnson as CEO.
Other top-level executive posts held by women at Lockheed include Chief Information Officer Sondra Barbour and director Gwendolyn King, who has served on the company’s board for 16 years.
This is great news to hear and thanks for posting; glad to see the progress in both numbers and culture at the largest defense firm. One point of clarification – the CEO of BAE Systems is Linda Hudson, currently the only female CEO of a major defense firm – I believe this counts as the highest ranking woman executive in defense contracting.