NDIA Presents The 2013 James Forrestal Industry Leadership Medal To The Honorable Sean O’Keefe
Arlington, VA (PRWEB) April 10, 2014 -- National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) has awarded The Honorable Sean O’Keefe, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Airbus Group, Inc., the prestigious 2013 James Forrestal Industry Leadership Medal in recognition of his support of a strong national security and furtherance of American global leadership.
NDIA’s Forrestal Award, which was presented on April 11, 2014, at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner in McLean, VA, is named in honor of James Forrestal, former Secretary of the Navy and the first U.S. Secretary of Defense, and is bestowed annually on a defense industry executive who best exemplifies Secretary Forrestal’s support for a strong industrial base.
With over thirty-six years of service to the U.S. as a government leader and executive, a distinguished academic and a heralded business executive, Mr. O’Keefe has devoted his towering intellect, boundless energy and exceptional leadership to solving the toughest challenges and bearing the heaviest responsibilities imaginable.
Mr. O’Keefe began his career on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, rising to the role of Staff Director of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. His skills and experience led to successive appointments as Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Defense, Secretary of the Navy and finally Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Those appointments then paved the way for his fourth Presidential appointment, that of the 10th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where his leadership was called upon on numerous occasions to lead NASA during a critical period of its history.
Mr. O’Keefe’s many academic postings, including distinguished positions at Pennsylvania State and Syracuse Universities, and both the University of Cambridge and Oxford University in the United Kingdom, culminated in his leadership of Louisiana State University as its Chancellor, attesting to his deep beliefs in the value of education and his untiring advocacy for America’s pursuit of academic leadership.
Due to his reputation as an exceptional leader, astute manager, and expert in defense budgets and acquisitions, Mr. O’Keefe first joined the General Electric Company heading its Washington operations for General Electric Aviation. He subsequently led EADS North America as its Chief Executive Officer and then as its Chairman.
Continuing his lifetime pattern of seeking the most challenging and demanding places, positions and professional roles, he embraced the Chairmanship of NDIA, serving the common interests of the defense industry large and small in its pursuit of arming and equipping America’s warfighters with unmatched capabilities. Choosing to pursue a professional career of service and achievement that has frequented the intersection of the public and private sectors, Mr. O’Keefe exemplifies the qualities of exceptional corporate leadership, public service and personal commitment to the support of a robust and responsive defense industrial base.
About The James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award:
The James Forrestal Industry Leadership Award is a Defense Industry leadership award. The award is named in honor of James Forrestal, who was Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of Defense, and serves to recognize his support for a strong defense industrial base. The Forrestal Award recognizes outstanding leaders of companies in the defense industrial base. It is bestowed annually on a defense industry executive who best reflects Secretary Forrestal’s support for a strong industrial base.
The awardees meet the following criteria:
- U.S. citizen
- Strong record of business accomplishments
- Broad understanding of the vital role the industrial base plays in ensuring the nation’s security
- Keen political instincts
- An active supporter of the defense industrial base and its programs
- Company must be NDIA Corporate Member
NDIA and its predecessor organizations (ADPA and NSIA) have given annual awards since 1979.
Previous Award Recipients include:
• Wesley G. Bush, CEO & President, Northrop Grumman Corporation (2013)
• Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., Frm. Chairman of BOD and CEO, EADS North America (2012)
• Robert J. Stevens, Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin (2011)
• James F. Albaugh, President and CEO, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (2010)
• Ronald D. Sugar, Chairman, CEO and President, Northrop Grumman Corporation (2009)
About NDIA:
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America’s leading Defense Industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between Industry and Government on National Security issues. NDIA members foster the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through our divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.
Will Goodman, NDIA, http://www.ndia.org/meetings/Pages/ForrestalIndustryLeadershipAward.aspx, +1 703-247-2595, [email protected]
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