NDIA’s Carlisle honors passing of Michele Evans, Lockheed Martin executive

Michele Evans of Lockheed Martin

ARLINGTON, VA  -- The National Defense Industrial Association extends condolences for Michele Evans, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, who died Jan. 1 at age 55.

Hawk Carlisle, NDIA’s president and CEO, offered his personal sympathy for Evans, with whom he worked closely during his 39-year Air Force career.

“I had the pleasure of working with Michele throughout my Air Force time; we both came up the ranks, so to speak,” said Carlisle, who retired as a four-star general. “Her avionics work on the C-130 and F-35 was so precise and gave us some of the most advanced aircraft in our history. She led the integrated warfare systems and C4ISR programs to become premiere operations in our industry.

“Michele didn’t just help make these systems; her concern was for the end users, the men and women in our military who would pilot the planes, man the weapons systems, be at the front lines in protection of our country. She understood what they had on the line, and she gave everything to be sure what they had was the best.

“I saw Michele’s leadership at Lockheed Martin firsthand. She was the utmost professional. Everyone’s contribution was important to her, and that with her confidence and intelligence got the best equipment to our servicemembers. I will hold close the memory of working with Michele and offer my sincere condolences to her family and her Lockheed Martin team.”

Evans led a significant number of military programs, Lockheed Martin said in a statement. She had more than 34 years of experience in the defense and aerospace industry, and was responsible for multiple platform programs, including the A-10 weapons system and avionics on the C-130 and F-35.

Evans held multiple executive positions in the company’s Rotary and Mission Systems business area, serving as vice president and general manager of integrated warfare systems and sensors as well as vice president for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. She also was actively involved in Lockheed Martin's diversity and inclusion initiatives, serving as the executive sponsor for the Women's Impact Network.

Evans’ family did not disclose her cause of death but did note it was not related to the novel coronavirus. Lockheed Martin’s statement on Evans’ passing is available here. Evans’ obituary is available here.

Link here to a livestream of Evans' services, which will take place Thursday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. EST. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Evans’ memory to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be made to her family on the Estey, Munoe & Fahey Funeral Home website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in Evans’ memory, please link here.