CANBERRA, Australia, 6 September 2024 – Lockheed Martin has appointed retired Air Vice-Marshal Steven ‘Zed’ Roberton DSC AM as the new Vice President and Regional Executive for Australia and New Zealand, to succeed Warren ‘Macca’ McDonald who will retire at the end of the year.

Roberton joins Lockheed Martin from McKinsey & Company, where he has been a senior advisor since 2022, following more than 30 years in the Australian Defence Force. Over his service career Roberton held senior leadership positions including Air Commander Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force and Head of Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group.  

Following a handover period, Roberton will take full responsibility as Chief Executive Australia and New Zealand on 1 December 2024, reporting to Ray Piselli, Vice President International Business, Lockheed Martin Global Business Development.

“Steve’s deep knowledge of our customers and their capability requirements will help us continue to strengthen these critical partnerships and ensure we are well positioned to deliver on our commitments,” said Piselli.

“A career of distinguished service has earned Steve a reputation as a forward-thinking and highly effective leader, and I am confident he will continue to build on Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s success.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Macca for his outstanding leadership over the past three years. During his tenure, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has experienced significant growth and achievements including AIR6500-1, SouthPAN, its appointment as an Enterprise Strategic Partner to the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, and its confirmation as the preferred bidder for JP9102.”

“I am honoured to join Lockheed Martin and lead our efforts in Australia and New Zealand, markets that are strategically significant to our global operations.” said Roberton. “Lockheed Martin has a long history of partnership in this region, and I look forward to continuing that legacy.”

“My focus will be on working closely with our customers and partners to deliver and sustain the advanced capabilities Australia and New Zealand need to address the complex security challenges of today and tomorrow.”

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About Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Steve ‘Zed’ Roberton DSC AM 

Steven ‘Zed’ Roberton, is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Roberton was accepted into RAAF as a direct entry pilot trainee in 1989. He completed initial officer and flight training at RAAF Point Cook and RAAF Base Pearce, graduating from No. 153 Pilots Course in 1990 and F/A-18 conversion in 1993. Roberton is a Category A Fighter Pilot with over 3000 total hours, mostly in F/A-18A, B, C, D, E and F fighters.

Roberton completed a joint staff tour in Capability Development Group in Canberra and Australian Command and Staff College. Deployed to Iraq, he commanded Number 75 Squadron RAAF (2003–06) and No. 82 Wing RAAF (2010–11), and led Air Task Group 630 on operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (2014–15). He served as commander Air Combat Group RAAF from 2015 to 2017, Air Commander Australia from 2017 to 2019, and Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from June 2019 to February 2022.

Media Contacts:

Joanne Hon, joanne.hon@global.lmco.com, +61 458 175 404