Lockheed Martin South Asia President Appointed to U.S.-India Business Council Board of Directors
WASHINGTON , April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard G. Kirkland , President, South Asia , Lockheed Martin Global, Inc. to its Board of Directors.
The U.S.-India Business Council is the premier business advocacy organization representing 280 of the largest U.S. companies investing in India , joined by two dozen of India's largest global companies. USIBC's mandate is to strengthen U.S.- India commercial ties.
Lockheed Martin is a Chairman's Circle of the U.S.-India Business Council and has a long engagement in business in India with commercial satellite sales, support for civil government and defense related programs. Lockheed Martin, India Private Limited was established to permit full engagement of all the business areas in Lockheed Martin across the entire spectrum of government acquisitions, services and support.
"Rick Kirkland's appointment to the USIBC board represents the manifestation of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership. Lockheed Martin's recent success on the C-130J aircraft program for the Indian Air Force and involvement across several key security programs is a testament to the company's global leadership," said U.S.-India Business Council Chairman Indra Nooyi . "Rick brings deep expertise and knowledge of the region, having held key positions in the U.S. Government and within Lockheed Martin, especially in the corporation's international operations."
Speaking about his appointment to the U.S.-India Business Council Board of Directors, Mr. Kirkland said, "I believe that the future will be marked by increased interaction between the two governments and among all aspects of U.S. and Indian society. I look forward to working with all members of the U.S.-India Business Council and playing a small role in developing strong and lasting ties between both great nations."
Mr. Kirkland was named President, South Asia , Lockheed Martin Global, Inc. in June 2007 . In this capacity, he is responsible for all Lockheed Martin corporate business and customers in the region that includes India , Australia and Singapore offices. Previously, he served as Vice President, Maritime Surveillance Enterprise for Lockheed Martin Corporation, beginning in 2005. Mr. Kirkland's other positions at Lockheed Martin have included Vice President, Corporate International Business Development, Lockheed Martin Corporation; Vice President, International Programs, Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems; and Vice President for Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems. Before joining Lockheed, Mr. Kirkland served as Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Legislative Affairs. A Career Naval Officer, selected for Flag rank, he is both a designated Naval Aviator and a Surface Warfare Officer. Mr. Kirkland also holds a master's degree in aeronautical systems from the
Mr. Kirkland's personal engagement with U.S.- India relations started in 1993 when he was the escort officer for a Senate Delegation to India . Since joining Lockheed Martin, he has been active in furthering the U.S.- India relationship and has been an active member of the Aspen India Dialogue since 2002.
Headquartered in Bethesda, MD , Lockheed Martin 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 2007 sales of
The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), formed in 1975 at the request of the Government of India and the U.S. Government to advance commercial ties between the world's two largest free-market democracies, is hosted under the aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region. The U.S.-India Business Council celebrates its 33rd Anniversary at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on June 12, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
SOURCE U.S.-India Business Council
