Lockheed exec Michele Evans has died

Michele Evans, executive vice president of the aeronautics segment at Lockheed Martin, died on Friday at age 55.

The cause of death was cancer, according to an obituary released by the family.

Evans, a 34-year defense market veteran, had led Lockheed’s largest business segment since 2018 and her role included oversight of the F-35 fighter jet, other high-profile aircraft programs and the Skunk Works advanced development shop.

She was actively involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives at Lockheed, including service as executive sponsor for the Women’s Impact Network and Leadership Forum.

Evans had been on a temporary leave of absence since Dec. 1, 2020 "to address health issues unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic," Lockheed said then. Greg Ulmer has been acting executive vice president for aeronautics since Evans began her medical leave.

"Throughout her career, Michele led some of the most important programs that ensure the security of our nation and its allies and help make our world a safer place. She embodied our company’s values in spirit and action every day -- to do what’s right, respect others, and perform with excellence," Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said in a statement released by the company Friday. "Her example was an inspiration to those of us fortunate enough to have worked with her closely, and her leadership in the aerospace and defense industry will have a lasting impact for years to come. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family, the entire Lockheed Martin team, and everyone she touched in her remarkable life and career.”

Evans graduated magna cum laude from Clarkson University in New York with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. She served on the boards of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Girls Inc., a nonprofit group dedicated to empowering young women.

She is survived by her husband David, an acquaintance in high school who she reconnected with after college. Together they had two sons, Clark and Parker.