Lockheed Martin will continue its co-sponsorship of the Small Business Administration Business Matchmaking Face-to-Face Events by actively participating in the Eastern Regional event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center here today. This is the third of four events this year, and the company looks forward to opportunities to expand its supplier base.

The Eastern Regional event takes on a unique perspective as it is being held in conjunction with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's National Convention.

Lockheed Martin has an active supplier diversity program to identify subcontracting opportunities with small, small disadvantaged, women, historically underutilized, and veteran-owned businesses; as well as, historically black and tribally-owned colleges, universities and minority institutions. The corporation awarded contracts valued at more than $5 billion to small business and more than $1 billion to small disadvantaged and women-owned businesses in 2005. Many Hispanic businesses meet the criteria for designation as small disadvantaged businesses, and the company looks forward to connecting with them in Philadelphia.

"We are committed to a diverse supplier base and make major investments to accomplish this objective," stated Sam Evans, director of Small Business for the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics business area, the corporation's lead organization responsible for sponsorship of the Business Matchmaking Face-to-Face Events. "Participation as a Matchmaker co-sponsor is a tangible demonstration of our commitment."

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.

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http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company