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A new director has been appointed to lead the prime’s international business development activities across the ANZ region following the retirement of long-serving industry veteran, Neale Prescott.
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Kendell Kuczma has been confirmed as Lockheed Martin Australia’s (LMA) new international business development director, rotary and missions systems (RMS) for Australia and New Zealand.
Kuczma, whose appointment is effective immediately, replaces industry veteran Neale Prescott, who is set to retire on 30 September.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Warren McDonald thanked Prescott for his service to the company and the defence industry more broadly.
“I personally acknowledge and commend Neale Prescott’s remarkable 24-year career with Lockheed Martin Australia and his service in the Royal Australian Air Force,” he said.
“During his tenure, Neale has been instrumental in bringing to bear the critical skills to acquire and deliver the sovereign capability needed to support the men and women who proudly serve in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).”
As the new international business development director, Kuczma will be tasked with spearheading the company’s regional growth across the RMS space.
This is expected to include support for the development of command-and-control integrated systems; training and logistics solutions; Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD); radars and sensors; cyber; electronic warfare; helicopters and more.
Prior to joining LMA in May 2016, Kuczma held a number of senior executive roles with the Department of Defence, including as executive director contracting ships, and chief contracting officer.
“I look forward to working with Kendell to expand our sovereign growth of rotary and missions systems across Australia in support of our customer’s mission,” McDonald said.
“With over two decades working at senior levels within Defence and defence industry, Kendell is highly regarded across the defence community and brings a wealth of experience and unique business insights into the joint all-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities required to protect Australia’s national interests.”
Steve Froelich, vice president of operations at Lockheed Martin RMS, Australia and New Zealand and AIR6500 executive, said Kuczma would help strengthen relationships with industry partners both domestically and abroad.
“Highly passionate about working in the defence sector, Kendell will continue to drive key partnerships with primes, small to medium enterprises, government, and academia to ensure industry remains at the core of shaping the country’s future defence capabilities for AIR6500, land training, rotary, systems integration, sustainment and more,’ Froelich said.
Reflecting on her new appointment, Kuczma welcomed the opportunity to apply her skills in the new role.
“Of all the industries to work in, I chose Defence because we’re making Australia safe. I believe the ultimate aim of Defence and defence industry is to safeguard Australia,” she said.
I’m excited about this new appointment and the opportunities to support the ADF’s mission.”
[Related: Lockheed Martin Australia partners with Legacy Australia]
