by Gerald S.
My story may be unique. I started my career working for the Glenn L.
Martin Company in Essex, Maryland (C Building basement) in the fall of 1948 as
a junior laboratory technician. I earned $1.45 per hour and was part of a group
that designed one of the first United States electronic missile guidance
systems. It was called the Oriol project. I left after two years to pursue my
professional career.
About 10 years later, in 1961, I joined Lockheed Missile and Space Company
as an engineering manager on the Agena program. Two years later, I was promoted
and transferred to run a division of Lockheed Electronics Company. In 1969, I
was again promoted to become president of the Lockheed Electronics Company and
a corporate vice president of Lockheed.
What is unique is that I started with Martin, one member of the merged
companies, at the bottom of the ladder. Twenty years later, I became a vice
president of Lockheed, the other member of the merged companies.
One career path that involved two companies that in turn became one,
gives me a strong sense of loyalty and pride in Lockheed Martin.
