Lockheed Martin said today that Marshall Byrd has been appointed vice president and general manager of its Commercial Space Systems line of business, effective September 1. Byrd succeeds Ted Gavrilis, who is retiring after 36 years at Lockheed Martin.

Byrd currently serves as vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Michoud Operations in New Orleans. The facility is the focus of External Tank design and production operations for NASA's Space Shuttle program. He joined the Corporation in 1978 and has served in a series of progressively responsible positions focusing on plant and production operations, manufacturing and supply chain management.

Gavrilis has led Commercial Space Systems since 2000, providing executive leadership for the marketing, design, development, production and on-orbit delivery of satellites and related systems for commercial and government customers worldwide. He joined Lockheed Martin in 1970 as a design engineer and rose through a series of senior positions in engineering and management.

The Pennsylvania-based Commercial Space Systems builds upon the expertise of several heritage Lockheed Martin companies and has manufactured, launched, deployed and maintained more space platforms than any other company. Its satellite systems support a broad range of applications, including direct broadcast, fixed satellite, broadband and mobile communications. CSS is best known for its award-winning A2100 spacecraft platform. There are currently 30 A2100 satellites in orbit, providing service to customers in all regions of the world.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.

CONTACT: Charles Manor, 408-742-3397; email, charles.manor@lmco.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin