Following the Senate confirmation last week of former Lockheed Martin [LMT] executive John Rood to be the Pentagon’s new policy chief, the company on Monday said that Richard “Rick” Edwards will lead the company’s international business efforts and Frank St. John will head the Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) business area.
Edwards, 61, who led MFC for the past five years as executive vice president, is now executive vice president, Lockheed Martin International, succeeding Rood, who was senior vice president for the international efforts. Edwards, who has been with the company nearly 35 years, in 2017 was also given responsibility for Lockheed Martin’s business in Saudi Arabia, work that he will continue.
During Edwards’ tenure leading MFC, the sector grew its international business by 12 percent to 37 percent of overall sales. The MFC business area had $6.6 billion in sales in 2016.
St. John, 51, a 30-year veteran of Lockheed Martin, worked as Edwards’ deputy at MFC, in charge of all the area’s business lines and program performance.
Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin’s chairman, president and CEO, said in a statement that Edwards’ leadership roles and international business experience will help grow the company’s international business. She touted St. John’s “deep understanding of the MFC business and strong customer relationships” to continue the business area’s success.
Hewson also said that the new appointments for Edwards and St. John demonstrate the deep bench of talent Lockheed Martin has.