Joanne M. Maguire
Executive Vice President
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company

Joanne Maguire is Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (SSC) business area and an officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation. SSC employs approximately 18,000 people and generated $8 billion in sales for Lockheed Martin in 2007.

Under her leadership SSC provides a broad spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological, and communications satellites; strategic and missile defense systems; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft.

Ms. Maguire serves on the board of directors for United Launch Alliance, a Lockheed Martin joint venture. She also serves on the boards of two nonprofit organizations: Space Foundation, the premier organization supporting space activities, space professionals, and education; and INROADS, whose mission is to develop and place talented minority youth in business and industry, preparing them for corporate and community leadership.

In 2008, Ms. Maguire was named one of the Top 50 Women in Technology by Corporate Board Member magazine. In 2006, 2007 and 2008, Ms. Maguire was listed on Fortune magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women in Industry. Girls Inc. honored her in 2008 for her achievements as a "leader and role model for young women." She also was awarded the 1999 Outstanding Leadership Award by Women in Aerospace (WIA) for her leadership contributions on various space prograMs., and for being a role model of exceptional performance, mentoring, and support to the career advancement of others.

Ms. Maguire assumed her current position in 2006. She previously served as Vice President and Deputy of SSC. In this capacity she assisted the Executive Vice President of Space Systems with the full range of general management duties. Ms. Maguire joined Lockheed Martin in 2003 serving initially as the company's Vice President, Special PrograMs., focusing on sensitive national security space system developments. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, she enjoyed a productive career at TRW's Space & Electronics sector, now Northrop Grumman Space Technology. There Ms. Maguire assumed a range of progressively responsible positions from engineering analyst to Vice President and Deputy to the sector's CEO, participating in missions spanning national security, civil and international space, and providing leadership of prograMs. as well as engineering, advanced technology, manufacturing and business development functions.

She earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and a Master's degree in Engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Ms. Maguire is a graduate of the executive program in management at UCLA's Anderson School of Management and completed the Harvard Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security.

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1) How did you get started in the satellite business?

My father was a senior executive at a major aerospace firm - so this industry is in my blood. I joined TRW (now Northrop Grumman) right after graduating from Michigan State University. I spent my first two years working in the missile systems analysis area. Then, after earning my masters degree at UCLA, I shifted over to the satellite side of the business, initially as a control systems engineer.

2) How have you been involved in changes brought about in or by this business (innovations, technologies, services)?

I had the privilege to participate in the design, development and/or operations of all four of NASA's great space observatories -- Hubble, Compton, Spitzer and Chandra. I have also had the chance to help reshape our US launch infrastructure to be more affordable and reliable through the formation and operation of the Lockheed Martin - Boeing joint venture, United Launch Alliance.

3) What do you think was the greatest event/situation/opportunity you experienced?

I would have to say it was the opportunity to be a part of NASA/Lockheed Martin team that successfully landed the Phoenix Lander spacecraft on Mars in May 2008. It was a dazzling technological and engineering achievement; it opened the door for some eye-opening scientific discovery; but beyond that it was a really impressive demonstration of the power of teamwork.

4) What was the greatest obstacle?

The toughest times I encountered in my space career came after the fall of the Berlin Wall, as our national security space customers adapted to declining budgets and the aerospace industry contracted and consolidated. As a community we tried to adjust to the call for "faster, better, cheaper" with mixed results.

5) What do you see happening in the next five years in this industry?

The next five years will be very exciting as we transition to the next generation of human space flight systems with the retirement of the Space Shuttle, develop new environmental satellites for NASA and NOAA, and field new sophisticated remote sensing systems.

6) What advice do you have for women interested in entering the industry?

Follow and nurture your passion - this is what will sustain you/engage you throughout a career in this industry: the chance to work on cutting edge problems, with talented and dedicated people, to make a difference in helping to connect, protect, and explore our world are compelling reasons for joining our industry.

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