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January 31, 2022:

  • 4:00 p.m.
  • 300 Whittemore Hall 
  • Jeff A. Babione, VP and GM of Lockheed Martin's ADP
  • Faculty Host: Dr. Pat Artis
Bio: Jeff A Babione is the Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs (ADP), also known as the Skunk Works®, for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. In this capacity, he is responsible for leading all ADP activities and personnel across the Aeronautics enterprise.

Prior to leading the Skunk Works, Jeff Babione was the Executive Vice President and General Manager, F-35 Lightning II Program, at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. In this role, Mr. Babione led all areas of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft program to include development, production, sustainment and modernization supporting three F-35 aircraft variants for three U.S. military services, eight international partner nations, and multiple foreign military sales customers. Mr. Babione served as Vice President and Deputy General Manager, F-35 Lightning II Program, from March 2013 to December 2015.

Prior to joining the F-35 program, he served as Vice President and General Manager, F-16/F-22 Integrated Fighter Group, where he led all aspects of the development, manufacture and sustainment of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-22 Raptor.

A Lockheed Martin employee for more than 25 years, Mr. Babione has held a wide range of engineering and leadership positions, including F-22 Chief Engineer from 2006 to 2010. As Chief Engineer, he was responsible for overall technical integrity of the world’s first 5th Generation fighter program. Lockheed Martin and the Raptor Team were awarded the Robert J. Collier Trophy for the most significant achievement in American aerospace in 2006.

He began his career with the Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash., where he worked as a structural engineer.  

Mr. Babione holds a bachelor's degree in Aerospace and Ocean Engineering from Virginia Tech, a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Washington, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.

He and his wife Mary live in Fort Worth, Texas. They have three daughters, Sarah, Bethie and Emily.