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Lockheed martin chief pentagon { June 27 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37250-2003Jun26.html?nav=hptoc_tnhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37250-2003Jun26.html?nav=hptoc_tn
Lockheed Adds Director Fresh From the Pentagon
By Renae Merle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 27, 2003; Page E02
Lockheed Martin Corp. elected Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. to its board yesterday, less than a month after he retired as the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer.
Aldridge, an aeronautical engineer, is returning to industry after the three years as undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics. Aldridge has also been secretary of the Air Force and president of McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems, now a part of Boeing Co.
"The type of expertise he brings is clearly a benefit to the shareholders and the company," said Thomas J. Jurkowsky, a spokesman for Bethesda-based Lockheed.
Aldridge also was named by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to head a panel to study a reorganization of the Defense Department.
The Lockheed appointment was criticized by the Project on Government Oversight, a private group that has questioned the movement of government officials into industry. "I am not saying these people shouldn't work, but it's not like Lockheed Martin is the only place that would hire him," said Seth Morris, a research assistant for the group.
As the Defense Department's procurement chief, Aldridge was responsible for decisions affecting the F-22 fighter jet, a Lockheed Martin program that is over budget and behind schedule, Morris said. "He was making some very major decisions dealing with a lot of money for Lockheed and defense companies in general," Morris said. "I don't think he should take a position with any company he had dealings with while in that position."
Lockheed dismissed the criticism. Lawyers at the Pentagon and the company made sure that Aldridge's election abided by federal contracting laws, Jurkowsky said. Aldridge does not fall under federal regulations that prohibit government employees from receiving compensation from a contractor for a year after leaving office, he said.
"I think what's important to remember is the role of a board member is to provide oversight," Jurkowsky said. "Some people think he is going to go back into the Pentagon and try to influence contracts, and that's not true."
Aldridge could not be reached for comment.
As a board member, Aldridge would be eligible for a $75,000 retainer and $75,000 in stock compensation, which can be taken either as restricted stock vested after a year or as stock options that could be exercised any time after his first year.
Last year, Joseph W. Ralston, former supreme commander of NATO forces in Europe, joined the Lockheed board, which now has 14 members.
© 2003 The Washington Post Company
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