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Lockheed Martin has appointed Air Vice-Marshal (Ret’d) Steven “Zed” Roberton DSC, AM, as the new vice-president and regional executive for Australia and New Zealand, to succeed Warren “Macca” McDonald who will retire at the end of the year.
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Roberton joins Lockheed Martin from McKinsey & Company, where he has been a senior adviser since 2022, following more than 30 years in the Australian Defence Force. Over his service career, Roberton held senior leadership positions including Air Commander Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force and Head of Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group.
Following a handover period, Roberton will take full responsibility as chief executive Australia and New Zealand on 1 December 2024, reporting to Ray Piselli, vice-president international business, Lockheed Martin Global Business Development.
“Steve’s deep knowledge of our customers and their capability requirements will help us continue to strengthen these critical partnerships and ensure we are well positioned to deliver on our commitments,” said Piselli.
“A career of distinguished service has earned Steve a reputation as a forward thinking and highly effective leader, and I am confident he will continue to build on Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s success.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Macca for his outstanding leadership over the past three years. During his tenure, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has experienced significant growth and achievements including AIR 6500-1, SouthPAN, its appointment as an Enterprise Strategic Partner to the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, and its confirmation as the preferred bidder for JP 9102.”
“I am honoured to join Lockheed Martin and lead our efforts in Australia and New Zealand, markets that are strategically significant to our global operations,” Roberton said.
Lockheed Martin has a long history of partnership in this region, and I look forward to continuing that legacy.
“My focus will be on working closely with our customers and partners to deliver and sustain the advanced capabilities Australia and New Zealand need to address the complex security challenges of today and tomorrow.”
AVM Roberton is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Roberton was accepted into RAAF as a direct entry pilot trainee in 1989. He completed initial officer and flight training at RAAF Point Cook and RAAF Base Pearce, graduating from No. 153 Pilots Course in 1990 and F/A-18 conversion in 1993. Roberton is a Category A Fighter Pilot with over 3,000 total hours, mostly in F/A-18A, B, C, D, E and F fighters.
Roberton completed a joint staff tour in Capability Development Group in Canberra and Australian Command and Staff College. Deployed to Iraq, he commanded No. 75 Squadron at RAAF Tindal from November 2003 before returning to Canberra to stand up the Air Combat Transition Office and lead the transition to F/A-18F Super Hornet. He commanded No. 82 Wing at RAAF Amberley and then completed the UK’s Higher Command and Staff College in 2012 before returning on promotion as Director General Aerospace Development. He was the initial commander of the Australian Air Task Group 630 in the Middle East in September 2014 prior to returning to RAAF Williamtown to command Air Combat Group from January 2015.
Roberton was appointed commander Air Combat Group at RAAF Base Williamtown in January 2015, with responsibility for the administration of the RAAF’s fast jet combat aircraft and command of Australia’s air combat operations.
Following promotion to air vice marshal, he succeeded Air Vice Marshal Gavin Turnbull as Air Commander Australia, responsible for the operational capability of the RAAF. Roberton became Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group in June 2019 through February 2022.
Roberton received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and mathematics at the University of Queensland.
