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Orlando \u201cOJ\u201d Sanchez Jr., a former combat pilot, is the new president of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. effective June 1. (Courtesy | Lockheed Martin Corp.)<\/p>\nGreg Ulmer started as a flight test engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. and worked his way to the top of the $30 billion business that produces the military\u2019s F-35 fighter jets.<\/p>\n
After more than 30 years with the Fort Worth-based company, Ulmer announced his decision to retire as president on May 6.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside the talented men and women of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics,\u201d Ulmer said in a statement. \u201cI am proud of all we have accomplished together in support of our customers and their critical missions, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this remarkable team.\u201d<\/p>\n
On June 1, Lockheed vice president and Skunk Works general manager Orlando \u201cOJ\u201d Sanchez Jr., a former F-22 combat pilot, will take the reins as the new president of the aeronautics company that employs more than 35,000 people.<\/p>\n
Ulmer will move into a strategic adviser position to support a smooth transition, Lockheed Martin officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are all thankful to Greg and what he has done throughout his career for our customers, nation and allies to strengthen global security through air power,\u201d said Jim Taiclet, Lockheed Martin Corp. chairman, president and CEO.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taiclet said Sanchez\u2019s leadership and military experience will benefit the company.<\/p>\n
\u201cOJ has demonstrated steadfast leadership and a passion for performance and the mission \u2014 we look forward to his continued impact as he leads Aeronautics into its next chapter,\u201d Taiclet said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Orlando \u201cOJ\u201d Sanchez Jr., a former combat pilot, is the new president of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. effective June 1. (Courtesy | Lockheed Martin Corp.)<\/p>\n
Sanchez joined Lockheed Martin in 2014 after a lengthy career as an Air Force officer.<\/p>\n
While leading the secretive Skunk Works division, Sanchez oversaw advanced technology development and integration for classified military programs. He previously led Lockheed Martin\u2019s Integrated Fighter Group and managed the F-16 and F-22 aircraft programs aimed at military deterrence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am honored to step into the role of president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and grateful for the trust placed in me,\u201d Sanchez said in a statement. \u201cAeronautics has an extraordinary legacy, a critical mission and some of the best talent in the industry, and I look forward to building on that strong foundation as we continue to deliver results that matter for our customers and our company.\u201d<\/p>\n
The leadership change comes after Lockheed Martin Aeronautics soared past its 2025 production goal for F-35 jets.<\/p>\n
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Lockheed Martin’s F-35 aircraft is assembled at a plant in Fort Worth. The jets are maintained at military repair depots across the U.S. (Courtesy photo | Liz Lutz, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics)<\/p>\n
In January, the aeronautics company announced that it had posted a record-breaking year<\/a> in 2025 by delivering 191 aircraft from its assembly plant at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. The company surpassed a previous annual production record of 142 jets, officials said.<\/p>\n Lockheed Martin Corp. reported $18 billion in sales for the first quarter of 2026, relatively flat compared to the $18 billion noted for the same period of 2025, according to earnings results<\/a> posted in April.\u00a0<\/p>\n The parent company had recent success with the Orion spacecraft used in NASA\u2019s historic Artemis II mission that carried astronauts farther from Earth than ever before.<\/p>\n The fifth generation of F-35 and F-22 aircraft continue to operate \u201cwith great effectiveness in contested and difficult missions,\u201d Taiclet said.<\/p>\n With the war continuing with Iran, Lockheed Martin entered long-term business agreements with the U.S. government to accelerate and scale munitions production that includes more advanced Patriot missiles.<\/p>\n The aeronautics division saw its first quarter 2026 sales reach $6.9 million, a slight dip compared to $7 million in the first quarter of 2025.<\/p>\n Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n