Marillyn Hewson
Born 1953 · Age 72
American businesswoman; long-time Lockheed Martin executive who served as President & CEO (2013–2020) and Executive Chairman (2020–2021); board director at several major corporations and recipient of numerous industry awards.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Junction City, Kansas
Marillyn Adams Hewson was born to Warren and Mary Adams in Junction City, Kansas.
Father died
Her father, Warren Adams, died when Marillyn was nine; her mother raised five children.
Graduated Tuscaloosa County High School (approx.)
Attended and graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School (year estimated based on birth year).
Earned Bachelor of Science, University of Alabama (estimated)
Completed a BS (commerce and business administration) at the University of Alabama; was president of Omicron Delta Epsilon and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma (year estimated).
Earned Master of Arts in Economics, University of Alabama (estimated)
Completed an MA in economics at the University of Alabama; served as graduate economics instructor and research assistant (year estimated).
Started as Economist at Bureau of Labor Statistics (approx.)
Worked as an economist at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for four years prior to joining Lockheed (dates estimated to cover a 4-year span ending in 1983).
Joined Lockheed Corporation as industrial engineer
Left the Bureau of Labor Statistics and joined Lockheed Corporation (later Lockheed Martin) beginning a multi-decade career at the company.
President & General Manager, Kelly Aviation Center, L.P. (approx.)
Served as President and General Manager of Kelly Aviation Center, L.P. (exact year not specified in sources; estimated mid-career role).
President, Lockheed Martin Logistics Services (approx.)
Served as President of Lockheed Martin Logistics Services (exact dates not specified; placed as early-2000s senior role estimate).
Elected to DuPont board of directors
Joined the board of directors of DuPont (service began in 2007).
Became board member, Sandia National Laboratories
Service on the board of Sandia National Laboratories began in 2010.
Served as President & Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin (approx.)
Held the role of President and Chief Operating Officer before becoming CEO (exact start date not published; estimated in lead-up to board/CEO election).
Elected to Lockheed Martin board of directors
Elected to Lockheed Martin's board on November 9, 2012.
Named President and Chief Executive Officer of Lockheed Martin
Became President and CEO of Lockheed Martin in January 2013 (sources indicate CEO and President from Jan 2013; J&J notes CEO & President Jan–Dec 2013).
Published 'A mother's resilience' in Politico
Wrote an essay reflecting on her mother's influence and leadership lessons (Politico, Sept 19, 2013).
Named Chairman of Lockheed Martin board (one year after CEO appointment)
Assumed the role of Chairman of the Board roughly one year after becoming CEO (sources indicate Chairman, President & CEO from Jan 2014).
Ranked #21 on Forbes 'Most Powerful Women' list
Forbes named Hewson the 21st most powerful woman in the world in 2014.
Named #20 on Forbes 'Most Powerful Women' list
Forbes ranked her 20th most powerful woman in 2015.
Named on Fortune '50 Most Powerful Women in Business' (ranked #4, Sept 15, 2015)
Fortune ranked Hewson 4th on its Most Powerful Women list (September 15, 2015 issue).
Announced Lockheed's purchase of Sikorsky Aircraft
Announced Lockheed's acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft, giving Lockheed rotary-wing capability and shifting company emphasis toward military hardware.
Inducted into Wash100
Included in the Wash100 list for international market focus and F-35 leadership.
Listed #35 on Harvard Business Review 'Best-Performing CEOs' (2017)
Ranked #35 on HBR's Best-Performing CEOs in the World 2017 list.
Donated $5 million to University of Alabama
Hewson donated $5 million in 2017 to support data analytics and cybersecurity through professorships, fellowships, scholarships, and an on-campus computing/collaboration center named for her.
Reported purchase of McLean estate for $5.45M (archived news)
Reported in business press that Hewson purchased a McLean, Virginia estate for $5.45 million (archive date Apr 2018).
Fortune names Hewson the most powerful woman in business
In 2018 Fortune named Marillyn Hewson the most powerful woman in the business world (rank #1).
Received Chief Executive magazine 'CEO of the Year' (2018)
Selected as Chief Executive magazine's CEO of the Year for 2018.
Awarded the Edison Achievement Award
Recognized with the Edison Achievement Award for leadership and contributions to innovation (2018).
Made largest one-time financial gift to University of Alabama for Hewson Hall
Hewson and her husband made the largest single gift in UA history to help fund construction of Hewson Hall (exact amount not specified in source).
Interviewed by David Rubenstein
Participated in a televised interview with David Rubenstein (YouTube interview dated May 23, 2018).
Joined Johnson & Johnson board of directors
Appointed to the board of Johnson & Johnson in 2019.
Named to TIME's 100 Most Influential People
Included on Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list for 2019.
Received Golden Plate Award, American Academy of Achievement
Presented the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement (2019).
Ranked #9 on Forbes 'World's Most Powerful Women' list
Forbes placed her #9 in 2018 and #10 in 2019; sources cite her being in the top 10 in 2018 and 2019 (this entry references the 2019 listing).
Co-vice chair, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council (through 2020)
Served as co-vice chair of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council until 2020 (tenure ended 2020).
Lockheed Martin stock up >300% during Hewson's tenure
During her tenure as CEO, Lockheed's stock value increased by more than 300% (sources vary: Wikipedia cites >300%; Alabama Academy cites 'nearly 400%').
Served on U.S.-India CEO Forum (2020)
Participated as a member of the U.S.-India CEO Forum in 2020 (service cited in company biographies).
Lockheed announced Hewson would step down as CEO and become Executive Chair
On March 16, 2020, Lockheed announced that Hewson would become Executive Chair and be replaced as CEO on June 15, 2020; James Taiclet named successor.
Transitioned to Executive Chairman of Lockheed Martin
Officially transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman of Lockheed Martin on June 15, 2020.
Received Aviation Week Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement
Honored with the Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement by Aviation Week & Space Technology (2021 laureate).
Elected director, Chevron Corporation
Joined the board of Chevron as a director beginning January 2021.
Inducted into Alabama Academy of Honor
Inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor (induction sketch compiled in 2021).
Member, National Academy of Engineering (elected member)
Recognized as a member of the National Academy of Engineering (source lists membership; exact election year not specified).
Retired as Executive Chairman and left Lockheed Martin board
Retired as Executive Chairman and board member of Lockheed Martin in March 2021 (sources report March 2021 retirement).
Continued public board service and advisory roles
After Lockheed retirement, continued serving on boards (Johnson & Johnson, Chevron) and on advisory boards (Air & Space Forces Association/StellarXplorers, Catalyst, Inc.).
Ongoing memberships in national and international organizations
Listed as fellow/member of bodies including AIAA, Royal Aeronautical Society, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations, Council of Chief Executives.
Profile snippets & retrospective recognition
Profiled across business media summarizing her career, awards, board roles, and philanthropy; remains an influential figure in aerospace/defense governance.
Key Achievement Ages
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