OREANDA-NEWS. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) today announced that John Rood has been appointed senior vice president, Lockheed Martin International, and has been elected a corporate officer. Rood succeeds Pat Dewar, who has been appointed to senior vice president, International Strategic Initiatives, and will retire in August 2016. Both appointments are effective March 7, 2016.

In his new position, Rood will lead the organization responsible for facilitating all international customer engagements and government relations. Under his direction, Lockheed Martin International will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to grow the business and strengthen international customer relationships and industrial partnerships in the 70 countries where Lockheed Martin does business today.

“John has more than 25 years of public and private sector experience, with a deep understanding of our business and strong customer relationships,” said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Marillyn Hewson. “I am confident that under John’s leadership, we will further strengthen our partnerships with our global customers and grow our international business in the years ahead.”

Rood is currently vice president of Lockheed Martin Government Affairs, where is he responsible for overseeing business development and government relations activities conducted by Customer Focus Teams at 26 field offices in the United States. He joined Lockheed Martin in 2014.

Prior to his industry career, he served for 20 years in U.S. government positions at the State Department, Department of Defense, National Security Council, Central Intelligence Agency, and as a Senate staffer. During his government career, he served as Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation and completed two tours at the National Security Council, where he was a Special Assistant to President George W. Bush.

Earlier in his career, John worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, and in a variety of positions at the Central Intelligence Agency, including as an analyst following missile programs in foreign countries. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Arizona State University.