Ben Strickland is an International Business Development Principal for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Air Dominance and Strike Weapons (AD&SW) line of business. In this capacity he is responsible for leading business strategy, new business capture, technology investments, and managing relationships with global customers across a $500M portfolio.
T&SM product lines address customers’ advanced requirements in the air and maritime warfare domain including the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long-Range Anti-Surface Missile (LRASM) programs as well as air-to-ground weapon and training systems such as the Paveway™ II Plus Laser Guided Bomb (LGB), Enhanced Laser Guided Training Rounds (ELGTR), and the Paragon™ direct attack munition.
Mr. Strickland’s previous assignments at Lockheed Martin include Business Development Lead for U.S. Navy Aegis combat system and SPY-1 phased array radar fleet readiness and training programs, SPY-7 solid state radar, and the Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VLA). He also managed the corporation’s strategic partnership with Terma Aerospace in the coordination of numerous joint capture opportunities for the domestic and international marketplace. In these roles he was responsible for working with key customers to deliver effective maritime solutions.
Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Mr. Strickland served as a National Security Specialist with the U.S. Maritime Administration where he was responsible for providing strategic-level guidance concerning contingency planning for the utilization of merchant shipping and port facilities to support U.S. and NATO military operations. Additionally, he managed the strategic ports program, coordinating interagency planning and implementation of strategies to enhance the security of maritime critical infrastructure. Previously, Mr. Strickland served over 20 years combined Navy and Coast Guard active service, retiring as a senior officer after Command, major staff, and headquarters division chief assignments. He holds designators as a Surface Warfare Officer, Coast Guard Cutterman, and Special Duty Officer (Merchant Marine, Deck).
Mr. Strickland graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, earning a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science and maintains a merchant marine credential as Master of steam and motor vessels. He also earned a master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College where he completed the Maritime Advanced Warfighting School (MAWS) course of instruction and received qualification as a Joint Operations Planner.
Mr. Strickland is a lifetime member of the Surface Navy Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, and Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. He serves as a member of the Maine Maritime Academy Alumni Association Board of Directors.