Lockheed Martin and the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) are launching a new lecture series focusing on key issues confronting today's Foreign Service Officers and the skills needed to manage the challenging environments in which they work. The series, titled "Promoting Excellence and Deepening Impact - Resources and Skills for Diplomacy and Development in the Age of Smart Power," will begin next month.

"Lockheed Martin has a proud history of supporting the men and women of the Foreign Service," said Mike Dignam, President of Lockheed Martin Readiness and Stability Operations. "We hope these programs advance the discussion on how to best assist them in carrying out their vital diplomatic and development missions."

The inaugural event will feature Ambassador John Negroponte, former Deputy Secretary of State and Director of National Intelligence. Moderating the discussion will be Ambassador Edward Gnehm Jr., Professor of Middle East Studies at George Washington University and a former Director General of the Foreign Service. This first program will be held at 11:00 am on April 7 at AFSA headquarters at 2101 E Street NW, Washington, DC.

"We're pleased to partner with AFSA for this important initiative," Ambassador Dell Dailey, the head of Lockheed Martin's PAE subsidiary stated. "We are looking forward to discussing the evolving role of the Foreign Service in a time of rapid global change."

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 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin