21st Century Security
Australia News Releases
11 May 2021 - CANBERRA, Australia – Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) announced today that, effective 1 July, retired Air Marshal Warren McDonald AO, CSC, will join the leadership team of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand.
Following a career of more than 40 years with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), including his last appointment as the inaugural Chief of Joint Capabilities which saw him lead the coordination and integration of capabilities across the Australian Defence Force.
Joe North will remain as Lockheed Martin Australia & New Zealand Chief Executive (LMANZ CE) as Warren transitions into the Lockheed Martin organisation before he assumes the mantle of LMANZ CE from Joe later this year. Mr. McDonald will report to Ray Piselli, Vice President International Business, Lockheed Martin Global Business Development.
On making the announcement, Mr. Piselli, said that Warren’s appointment reinforces Lockheed Martin’s continued commitment to working side by side with our customer in Australia to develop and advance the critical capabilities needed to remain ahead of our adversaries as the battlespace becomes more complex across every domain.
“Warren’s service, including as Deputy Chief of Air Force and Chief of Joint Capabilities, will bring unique insights, experience and expertise as we support the customer to realise the vision for a fully integrated, networked defence force to achieve the military superiority necessary to meet challenges of the 21st Century battlefield,” said Mr. Piselli. “We are delighted to have Warren join the Lockheed Martin team and know that he is no stranger to Lockheed Martin capabilities first-hand, having seen operational service in Australia and overseas as well as flying in Lockheed Martin aircraft during his time as a RAAF pilot.”
Warren McDonald said he was excited to join Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand at what is a critical period for the modernisation of Australia’s defence capability and at a time of evolving strategic threats.
“Lockheed Martin is at the forefront of delivering state-of-the-art defence capabilities for Australia and across the region in the air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. I look forward to working with the team and partnering with the customer and industry to accelerate the development and deployment of world-leading sovereign capabilities for Australia in the 21st Century challenges.” said Mr. McDonald.
Biography:
Effective 1 July, retired Air Marshal Warren McDonald AO, CSC, will join the leadership team of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand before he assumes the mantle of LMANZ CE from Joe North later this year.
Prior to this appointment Mr. McDonald served 41 years in the Australian Defence Force, with his last appointment being the Chief of Joint Capabilities. In 2017, as the inaugural Chief of this Group, Mr. McDonald was made responsible for its formation and development. Joint Capabilities Group now supports Army, Navy and Air Force by providing a wide range of enabling capabilities, such as logistics, education, health and military police. The Group is also responsible for progressing key projects to support cyber, data link, and satellite capabilities.
In 1979 Mr. McDonald began his career in the Royal Australian Air Force as an enlisted technical apprentice. In 1989, he was commissioned and later graduated as a pilot, logging over 5000 hours in the P-3 Orion. His rotational assignments included Squadron, Wing and Group appointments, numerous deployed commands and as the Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Mr. McDonald is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff Course.
# # #
About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1100 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.
Media Contact:
Michelle Scully, Head of Communications Australia and New Zealand, +61 448 032 387