Dr. Alton D. Romig Jr., vice president and general manager of advanced development programs Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, will present a talk on "Innovation, Skunk Works® Style."

Abstract:
Step into the world of top secret development where ideas and innovation are the coins of the realm and partnerships are key to developing cutting-edge technology the Skunk Works® way – quick, quiet and quality. Learn about the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® culture of innovation and the approaches this team has adopted during its 69 year history developing some of the world’s most innovative aircraft: P-80, U-2, SR-71, F-117, F-22 and the F-35. The discussion will include the themes of agility, affordability and the need to embrace risk.

Bio:
Dr. Alton D. Romig sets the strategic direction for the capture of new business and leads the management of the world-renowned Skunk Works®, the pre-eminent leader in aerospace innovation for nearly 70 years.

Prior to joining Advanced Development Programs in January 2011, Dr. Romig spent more than 30 years with Sandia National Laboratories, which is operated by Lockheed Martin Corporation. His responsibilities there included the leadership of development and engineering activities providing science, technology and systems expertise in support of U.S. programs in military technology; nuclear deterrence and proliferation prevention; technology assessments; intelligence and counterintelligence; homeland security and energy programs.

While at Sandia, he held a variety of management assignments including chief technology officer and vice president for science, technology and partnerships. In that role, he was chief scientific officer for the Nuclear Weapons Program and was accountable for Sandia's interactions with industry and academia. Additionally, he was responsible for the Laboratory-Directed Research and Development Program. Most recently, he served as the executive vice president, deputy laboratories director and chief operating officer responsible for all aspects of laboratory business.

Known for his pioneering work in materials science, engineering and characterization, he has won numerous international prizes, including the American Society for Materials (ASM) Silver Medal for Outstanding Materials Research.

Dr. Romig is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Council on Foreign Relations. He serves on numerous advisory councils and boards, including: the Intelligence Science Board; the Air Force Studies Board; the Standing Advisory Committee to the Special Operations Command and the Standing Committee on Technology Insight. Dr. Romig has served on several industrial boards, including the Technology Ventures Corporation, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary dedicated to technology commercialization, and the Atomic Weapons Establishment Board of Directors in the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, ASM International, and the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society. Dr. Romig is a senior member of Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In 2011, he was named a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Dr. Romig also served as chairman of the United Way of Central New Mexico. He received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctorate degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Lehigh University.