RIYADH, Saudi Arabia. Lockheed Martin on September 30, announced Brigadier General (Retired) Joseph (Joe) Rank as the Chief Executive for Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia. Rank will lead the company’s growing business in the Kingdom with responsibilities for building and cultivating key partner relationships and supporting the Kingdom’s strategic business pursuits. Rank takes over the position from Alan Chinoda who will be returning to Lockheed Martin based in the United States.

“I am confident that under Joe’s leadership we will drive this strategic relationship to greater heights in the Kingdom, supporting Vision 2030, while strengthening regional and global security,” said Richard H. (Rick) Edwards, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin International. “Joe brings a wealth of regional knowledge and experience to his new role as our chief executive in Riyadh. He will be an invaluable resource to our local operations as we continue to build new partnerships and grow our footprint in the Kingdom.”

“I would also like to thank Alan Chinoda for his outstanding contributions and leadership during his seven years in Saudi Arabia. During Alan’s tenure, we have strengthened the Lockheed Martin brand as a trusted defense and security partner to the Kingdom,” he added.

Rank recently concluded 31 years of service in the U.S. Army, most recently in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he served as the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East Policy. He has served almost a decade in the region to include positions as senior defense attaché in the United Arab Emirates (2015-2017), Jordan (2011-2014), Lebanon (2010-2011) and Yemen (2004-2006). He speaks Arabic and has a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies from the University of Virginia.