Ray O. Johnson, senior vice president and CTO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, gave the first lecture of the fall 2007 semester. Photo by Al Santos.

Abstract
From the perspective of one of the world's leading technology corporations, Ray Johnson will discuss the imperatives that drive successful technology development and transition including macro global trends, organizational issues, and how to prioritize research and development investments.

Biography
Dr. Ray Johnson is the senior vice president and chief technology officer of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Johnson guides the company's technology vision and provides corporate leadership in the strategic areas of technology and engineering, which include more than 65,000 people working on more than 4,000 programs. Johnson also leads the corporation's Advanced Concepts Organization and the Center for Innovation, a world-class laboratory for collaborative experimentation and analysis involving Lockheed Martin, its customers and industry partners.

Before joining Lockheed Martin, Johnson was the chief operating officer for Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI), of Alexandria, Va. Prior to that, he held a variety of increasingly responsible executive positions with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), including senior vice president and general manager of the Advanced Concepts Business Unit. In addition to executive leadership and management positions, Johnson has experience in strategic planning, program development, program management, and venture capital funding. He currently serves as a member of the Sandia Corporation Board of Directors. He previously served on the boards of two biotechnology companies.

Johnson was a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board from 2001 to 2005, where he chaired the 2003 summer study titled "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Perspective: Effects, Capabilities, and Technologies," and co-chaired the 2002 summer study, "Predictive Battlespace Awareness." He participated in several additional summer studies and science and technology reviews. His Air Force career included assignments in laser physics and systems design and analysis, electro-optic systems research and development, survivability, and command and control. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the International Society for Optical Engineering, Eta Kappa Nu, Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi.

Born in Kansas City, Mo., Johnson holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.