The National Management Association (NMA) honored Lockheed Martin's Lee E. Rhyant as the 2009 Executive of the Year at the organization's national conference this week in New Orleans.

The Executive of the Year Award is the highest honor the NMA bestows on an individual. The first Executive of the Year was honored in 1935 and NMA has recognized a key leader in business and industry every year since. The award recognizes a senior executive who has gained significant recognition for managerial and leadership accomplishments, conducted both personal and business affairs in accordance with NMA's Code of Ethics, and made outstanding contributions toward preserving and advancing the free enterprise system.

"It is an honor to recognize Lee Rhyant in this manner. He is an outstanding leader who has been on the leading edge in building leadership teams and implementing innovative improvements resulting in customer focus and strengthening financial results. He is a magnificent choice because he understands that leadership is about impacting people, not just processes. How wonderful it would be if every company had a Lee Rhyant at the helm," said Steve Bailey, NMA president.

Lockheed Martin employees nominated Rhyant for his commitment to the company, the community and the NMA. He is known in the company for his integrity and willingness to address issues openly and honestly.

"Lockheed Martin and NMA share a common vision of growing the next generation of leadership, which is a personal passion of mine," Rhyant said. "I am deeply humbled and honored to receive the 2009 Executive of the Year award. I can think of no greater honor than to be nominated by employees for reflecting true values of leadership."

Throughout his 35-year career in the aerospace and automotive industries, Rhyant has established himself as a business community leader, a civic visionary and a dedicated mentor focused on supporting future generations of leaders.

Rhyant has been honored by many organizations for his leadership and civic contributions. He was named the 2008 Citizen of the Year by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce/Marietta Daily Journal, the 2008 Man of the Year by the Atlanta Tribune and a 2007 Man of Influence by the Atlanta Business League.

Rhyant is executive vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga., facility, where he is responsible for the more than 7,000 employees who work on the C-130J Super Hercules, F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, P-3 reconnaissance patrol aircraft and C-5 strategic airlift modification programs. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin in 2000, Rhyant served as vice president, Production Operations, at Rolls-Royce Aerospace in Indianapolis, Ind.

He received his Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree from Bethune-Cookman University. In May 2009, Rhyant received a Doctor of Humane Letters from Bethune-Cookman University, where he also serves as the vice chair on the Board of Trustees. He serves on a variety of boards, including Chattahoochee Technical College, Atlanta Urban League, Atlanta Area Boy Scouts Council, SafeAmerica Foundation, The Georgian Club and United Way of Cobb County. He is currently chairing the 2009 Cobb County United Way campaign.

NMA is a national professional leadership development organization headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, with more than 18,000 members. It is a recognized worldwide partnership of people and business inspiring outstanding leadership and cultivating highly productive workplaces.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 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 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company