James D. Taiclet is the CEO of Lockheed Martin, having stepped into the role in June 2020 after a long tenure at American Tower. His background is impressive: he has experience in aerospace from Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, and...

James D. Taiclet is the CEO of Lockheed Martin, having stepped into the role in June 2020 after a long tenure at American Tower. His background is impressive: he has experience in aerospace from Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney, and he started his career as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Taiclet’s leadership style is results-driven, emphasizing performance-based pay. In 2022, his total compensation at Lockheed Martin was around $22.8 million, driven mainly by stock options and performance incentives. Notably, he showed significant insider ownership in Lockheed Martin; by 2024, his holdings were valued at over $27 million. His strategic insight is key in navigating one of the largest defense contractors in the world, which has a strong foothold in the fighter jet market through projects like the F-35. Before becoming CEO, he was the Executive Chairman at American Tower, where he built a solid reputation for growing communication infrastructure. Taiclet’s journey reflects a clear commitment to innovation and operational excellence in a competitive industry.