SKUNK WORKS CHIEF TO RETIRE; LOCKHEED EXEC WILL TAKE OVER AT PALMDALE PLANT.Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer Jack S. Gordon will retire as the president of Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. Skunk skunk, name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. Works and will be succeeded by Robert T. Elrod, now executive vice president at Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft in Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas, 18th-largest city in the United States[1], and voted one of "America’s Most Livable Communities. . Elrod will become the Skunk Works president effective Nov. 1. As president, Elrod will oversee the Antelope Valley's largest private aerospace employer. The Skunk Works employs more than 5,000 workers in Palmdale. ``Bob Elrod's expertise will strengthen customer and performance objectives for such key programs as Joint Strike Fighter A strike fighter is a fighter aircraft which is also capable of attacking surface targets, including ships. It differs from an attack aircraft in that the aircraft remains a capable fighter. , and his experience at tactical aircraft systems will provide synergy for his new leadership role at the Skunk Works,'' said James ``Mickey'' Blackwell, Lockheed Martin's executive vice president of the aeronautical aer·o·nau·tic also aer·o·nau·ti·cal adj. Of or relating to aeronautics. aer  o·nau systems business area. Gordon had indicated several months ago to Lockheed Martin management that he planned to resign this fall to spend more time with his wife and to travel, company officials said. Gordon, like his predecessor Sherm Mullin, will likely serve as an occasional consultant to the company. ``Jack Gordon Jack Leon Gordon (November 10, 1939 - April 19, 2005) was the former manager and husband of singer La Toya Jackson. Early life and career Gordon was born in Springfield, Illinois to Abraham Gordon (a native born Russian) and Faye Stein (a native of Illinois). has played key roles in the development of the SR-71, D-21, F-117 and F-22 that have contributed substantially to the benefit of the corporation and the nation,'' Blackwell said in the announcement. Gordon has served as the company's president since February 1994. During his tenure as company president, Gordon oversaw the completion of the company's move from Burbank to Palmdale, helped double the size of its work force, and led the company in wins for new business, including landing contracts to build the $1.2 billion X-33 experimental aircraft, the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile, and the Joint Strike Fighter demonstrator. In all, Gordon spent 36 years with the Skunk Works. Elrod joined what was then General Dynamics General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD) is a defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2006 it is the sixth largest defense contractor in the world[1]. The company has changed markedly in the post-Cold War era of defense consolidation. in 1978 after a 21-year career in the Air Force. General Dynamics' military aircraft unit, the builder of the long-running F-16 fighter production, merged with Lockheed in 1992. For Lockheed, Elrod has overseen the F-16, the Joint Strike Fighter and other programs. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) GORDON (2 -- color) ELROD |
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