Kenneth R. Johnson ENG'66, former Board Chair
Vice President and General Manager (Ret.)
Lockheed Martin Space Systems

In a career spanning 35 years with Lockheed Martin Corporation, Kenneth Johnson held a variety of senior positions in aerospace engineering and technical management in the development of space-systems, and leading large, multi-disciplined organizations. Johnson retired as vice president serving as the general manager of the Communications & Power Center located in Newtown, PA, and as the general manager of the East Windsor, NJ spacecraft design and manufacturing facility known as AstroSpace.

Among the awards and honors he has garnered during his career are Lockheed Martin Exceptional Service Award; finalist in “Global Excellence in Operations” – Fortune Magazine; selected by Smithsonian as one of four RCA “Pioneers in Space”; Tau Beta Pi “Eminent Engineer;” AIAA Associate Fellow; ASME Associate Fellow; GE 1-in-1,000 award; two RCA Technical Excellence awards; and the NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center Public Service Award. He has also been recognized by Rutgers University, including Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni; Rutgers Distinguished Engineer Award; Loyal Son of Rutgers.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers in 1966 and a master’s in engineering management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1971. He is a member of the Rutgers Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Directors, has been very active with the Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering, a leader and board member of the Rutgers University Alumni Association, and president of several chartered alumni associations.