Marillyn Adams Hewson is an accomplished American executive, currently serving as the chairwoman, president, and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin. With a background rooted in Kansas, Hewson overcame financial struggles alongside her single mother while growing up. She pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Arts degree in economics from the University of Alabama. Additionally, she furthered her education through executive development programs at the Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School. Hewson’s journey with Lockheed Martin began in 1983, and she has held various executive positions within the company, showcasing her expertise and dedication. In recognition of her exceptional leadership, she was appointed CEO in 2012 and has since led Lockheed Martin to remarkable growth. Hewson’s achievements have not gone unnoticed, as she has been honored with prestigious awards, including the Edison Achievement Award in 2018.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Marillyn Adams Hewson
- Age: 69 Years, 69 Year Old Females
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: James Hewson
- Father: Warren Adams
- Mother: Mary Adams
- Children: David Hewson, Will Hewson
- Born Country: United States
- CEOs
- Business Women
- U.S. State: Kansas
- Education: University Of Alabama
Childhood & Early Life
Marillyn Hewson was born on December 27, 1953, in Junction City, Kansas, USA. She was raised by her single mother, Mary Adams, after her father passed away when she was nine years old. Mary Adams, a former member of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), instilled in Hewson the values of resilience, hard work, and determination. Hewson studied at the University of Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1976 and her Master of Arts degree in economics in 1979. She also attended executive development programs at Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School.
Early Career
During her youth, Hewson took on various odd jobs in the apartment building where her family lived and helped her mother raise her siblings. After graduating from college, she worked at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career at Lockheed Martin
Marillyn Hewson joined Lockheed Martin in 1983, a leading company in the aerospace, defense, security, and technologies industry. Throughout her tenure at Lockheed Martin, she held several positions, including president and chief operating officer, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Electronic Systems business area, president of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, executive vice president of Global Sustainment for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, president and general manager of Kelly Aviation Center, L.P., and president of Lockheed Martin Logistics Services. In November 2012, she became a member of the board of directors and assumed the position of chief executive officer in January 2013. She became the chairwoman of Lockheed Martin in January 2014. Hewson has also served on the board of directors for Sandia National Laboratories since 2010 and DuPont since 2007. Under her leadership, Lockheed Martin has doubled its market capitalization and expanded its capabilities through acquisitions such as Sikorsky Aircraft and Beontra AG.
Awards
Marillyn Hewson has received numerous accolades for her achievements. Fortune magazine named her one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015, and she topped the list in 2018. Forbes recognized her as the ninth most powerful woman in the world in 2018. She was inducted into the Wash100 in 2017 for her international market focus and F-35 leadership. Hewson ranked #35 on the Harvard Business Review’s “The Best-Performing CEOs in the World 2017” list. In 2018, she was celebrated as the “CEO of the Year” by Chief Executive magazine and later served on its selection committee.
Family & Personal Life
Marillyn Hewson met her husband, James Hewson, while they were both students at the University of Alabama. They got married and have two sons together, Will and David. In 2018, the couple made a historic $15 million donation to their alma mater, the Culverhouse College of Business.