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Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has confirmed the appointment of former RAAF Chief of Joint Capabilities retired Air Marshal Warren McDonald as its new chief executive.
Air Marshal (Ret’d) McDonald spent over 40 years serving in the Royal Australian Air Force and joined the leadership team at Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand (LMANZ) in May 2021 for a transitionary period before assuming the chief executive role.
The new appointment, announced on Thursday, is effective immediately.
The company has confirmed that Air Marshal (Ret’d) McDonald will report to Ray Piselli, vice-president of international business, Lockheed Martin global business development.
Piselli welcomed the appointment, noting McDonald’s long career in helping to create a more integrated Australian Defence Force.
“As the RAAF’s inaugural Chief of Joint Capabilities, Warren brings an unrivalled understanding of the superior all-domain capabilities necessary to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st-century battlespace,” he said.
“Warren’s appointment reiterates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to develop and advance the critical capabilities our customers will need to remain ahead of their adversaries and defend their national interests.”
McDonald noted that his focus as chief executive will remain on program delivery and sustainment excellence.
“Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has a proud heritage of excellence in program delivery and sustainment, and I look forward to working with the team and our local industry partners to further contribute to that legacy on both sides of the Tasman,” he said.
“Lockheed Martin’s innovative technologies are at the heart of our customers’ defence capabilities, and we have a responsibility to ensure that superior combat power is available whenever and wherever it is needed.”
Piselli also expressed thanks to outgoing LMANZ chief executive Joe North for his leadership at the company.
“Joe has done a remarkable job, first as the vice-president of rotary mission systems operations for Australia and New Zealand and, most recently, as the LMANZ chief executive,” he said.
“The strength of LMANZ’s position in the market as a defence capability steward and an enabler of manufacturing sector transformation is a testament to his leadership, the deep relationships he has cultivated with our industry partners and his determination to deliver for our customers.”
