Marillyn Hewson

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Marillyn Hewson – Life, Leadership & Legacy

Marillyn Hewson is a pioneering American businesswoman who led Lockheed Martin as CEO and Chair. Discover her early life, career rise, leadership philosophy, notable achievements, and key lessons from her path.

Introduction

Marillyn Adams Hewson (born December 27, 1953) is an American business executive known for her transformative leadership at Lockheed Martin, one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies. From joining the company in the 1980s to becoming CEO in 2013 and then Executive Chair until 2021, Hewson steered major acquisitions, guided growth in defense technologies, and stood as one of the most powerful women in business globally. Her journey is inspiring not only for her business accomplishments, but also for how she overcame adversity, led in a male-dominated industry, and contributed to institutional change.

Early Life and Education

Marillyn Adams Hewson was born in Junction City, Kansas to parents Warren Adams and Mary Adams. Her father passed away when she was about nine years old, after which her mother — a former member of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) — raised five children on her own. Hewson has credited her mother’s resilience, determination, and leadership in shaping her own values.

She pursued higher education at the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Economics. Additionally, she completed executive development programs at Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School.

Hewson’s educational choices blended business and economics — providing her a dual lens on finance, strategy, and organizational dynamics from early on.

Career & Achievements

Early Career: From Economist to Lockheed Martin

Prior to entering the defense industry, Hewson spent about four years as an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 1983, she began her long career with Lockheed (later Lockheed Martin), starting in roles that leveraged her analytical and economic training.

Over the ensuing decades she ascended through a range of senior leadership positions, including:

• Executive Vice President of the Electronic Systems business area

• President of Systems Integration

• Executive Vice President of Global Sustainment for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

• President & General Manager roles and leadership of logistics divisions

Her breadth of roles gave her deep exposure to different parts of the business — engineering, operations, integration, support, and systems. This cross-functional insight positioned her as a strong candidate for top leadership.

CEO, Chairman & Legacy Moves

On November 9, 2012, Hewson was elected to the Lockheed Martin Board of Directors. In January 2013, she became President and CEO, succeeding Robert J. Stevens. Under her leadership, Lockheed’s stock value increased more than 300%.

One of her major strategic decisions was the acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft in 2015, giving Lockheed Martin vertical capability in helicopter manufacturing. She also pivoted more of the company’s focus toward military hardware and advanced defense technologies.

On March 16, 2020, the company announced she would transition to Executive Chair of the board and step down as CEO on June 15, 2020. Her successor as CEO was James Taiclet. She fully retired as Executive Chair and board member in March 2021.

Throughout and even after her tenure, Hewson has served on several boards including Johnson & Johnson and Chevron, contributing her strategic and operational insight.

Recognition & Influence

Marillyn Hewson has received numerous accolades for her leadership and impact:

• Named by Fortune in multiple years (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015) among the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business”.

• Ranked 4th in Fortune’s 2015 list of powerful women.

• Named CEO of the Year in 2018 by Chief Executive magazine.

• Recognized by Harvard Business Review in 2017 among the world’s best-performing CEOs.

• In 2018, awarded the Edison Achievement Award for leadership and innovation.

• Listed among Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2019.

• Inducted in the Alabama Business Hall of Fame for her achievements and ties to the University of Alabama.

Her influence extends beyond business performance: she is frequently cited as a role model for women in STEM, aerospace, and defense leadership roles.

Personality, Leadership Style & Philosophy

Hewson’s leadership is often characterized by:

• Steadfastness and resilience: Her early life—losing her father young and seeing her mother carry forward with strength—inspired her conviction and drive.

• Strategic vision: She combined long-term thinking (e.g. acquisitions, product direction) with operational excellence.

• Inclusive leadership: She emphasized mentoring, promoting diverse talent, and recognizing hidden biases in organizations.

• Disciplined execution: She drew from her economics and operations background to bring rigor and accountability to plans.

• Ethical responsibility: Navigating defense and aerospace industries requires constant attention to global security, regulations, and public accountability — she often underscored those responsibilities.

Her path shows that technical and managerial breadth, combined with a steady and principled character, can propel leadership even in highly specialized sectors.

Memorable Statements & Reflections

While Hewson is more often quoted in business and media contexts than known for classical “quotes,” here are a few representative reflections:

• In her 2013 essay “A Mother’s Resilience,” she wrote: “My mother did what all great leaders do: she sparked the growth of future leaders.” — acknowledging the foundation she felt her mother provided.

• In commentary about leadership and gender, she has urged that organizations be aware of hidden biases and reward results, rather than relying solely on traditional metrics.

• On corporate responsibility: as CEO, she emphasized environmental stewardship, public transparency, and responsible governance in defense contracting.

These statements highlight her belief in foundational values, fairness, and the broader duty leaders carry beyond profit.

Lessons from Marillyn Hewson’s Journey

1. Technical + Business fluency is powerful
   Hewson’s grounding in economics, operations, and leadership enabled her to navigate complex defense technology sectors with credibility.

2. Long tenure builds trust
   Her decades at Lockheed Martin allowed her to develop deep institutional knowledge and earn stakeholder confidence.

3. Diversity in leadership matters
   As one of the few women to reach the top in aerospace and defense, her presence opened doors for others and challenged norms.

4. Strategic acquisitions must align with mission
   The Sikorsky acquisition is just one example of a move that fit with the company’s evolving strategy.

5. Succession and legacy planning are essential
   Her transition to Executive Chair and full retirement demonstrated foresight in stewarding the institution beyond her tenure.

6. Resilience in adversity shapes character
   Her early personal challenges and observation of her mother’s strength often served as motivation and grounding in tough moments.

Conclusion

Marillyn Hewson’s life reflects the arc of a deliberate, resilient, and strategic leader who rose through complexity to helm one of America’s foremost defense enterprises. Her example offers lessons to aspiring leaders in any field—especially about balancing technical mastery, principled leadership, and long-term institutional health.