UA Grad No. 27 on America’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business List

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Marillyn Hewson, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Electronic Systems business area and a University of Alabama graduate, has moved up to No. 27 in Fortune’s annual ranking of America’s 50 most powerful women in business.

Hewson was listed at No. 32 last year.

Hewson earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and her master’s degree in economics from the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at The University of Alabama. She also is a member of the College Board of Visitors.

Fortune said Hewson increased revenue and operating profit for her $14.4 billion division (Lockheed’s largest) in 2010 and “is following in some important footsteps. Electronic Systems used to be run by Lockheed COO Chris Kubasik, who analysts say could be the next CEO.”

She also is an officer of Lockheed Martin Corp. Electronic Systems is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and employs 46,000 at facilities in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Electronics Systems portfolio includes maritime systems, missile defense, platform integration, rotary wing systems, sensors, tactical missiles, unmanned systems, simulation and training, logistics and energy.

Electronics Systems manages the Sandia National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy, and it is part of an industry consortium that operates the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the United Kingdom.

Before assuming her current role, Hewson was president of Lockheed Martine Systems Integration in Owego, N.Y.  In her 28 years with Lockheed Martin, Hewson has held several operational leadership positions, including executive vice president for Global Sustainment for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, president and general manager of Kelly Aviation Center, L.P., an affiliate of Lockheed Martin; and president of Lockheed Martin Logistics Services.

Hewson chairs the Sandia Corporation board of directors and serves on the board of directors of DuPont. She is a member of the Association of the United States Army Council of Trustees.

In addition to her two degrees from The University of Alabama, Hewson, who was born in Kansas City, Kan., attended the Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School executive development programs.