For some new students like Julie Sommer, learning about Marillyn Hewson’s success in the business world serves as a reminder that attending The University of Alabama was the right choice

“As a freshman at UA, knowing the CEO of the year attended this university is very encouraging and reinforces the idea that I made the right decision coming here,” said Sommer, a freshman majoring in music.

Marillyn Hewson, UA alumna and CEO of Lockheed Martin, was recently named CEO of the Year by Chief Executive Magazine and was ranked number one on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list of 2018. Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that creates military systems and innovative technologies.

While Hewson’s success as current chairman, president and CEO of Lockheed Martin has earned her national recognition, she has gained further attention at The University of Alabama as students are inspired and encouraged by her triumph.

Alex Perry, a junior majoring in communication studies, said Hewson’s accomplishments serve as a reassuring example of success.

“It’s interesting to learn that the classrooms we as students spend most of our time [in] were the same that many notable alumni spent their time as well,” Perry said. “In a way, Hewson’s accomplishments serve as a reassuring example of success and proves that current students can follow in the same footsteps of the ones before us.”

Hewson graduated from the University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and later earned a master’s degree in economics. She also attended executive development programs at Columbia and Harvard.

Nathanael Jones, a sophomore majoring in finance, said it was encouraging to hear about Hewson’s accomplishments.

“My perception has always been that it takes an Ivy League education and connections to rise to that level,” Jones said. “Her success shows me that I can rise to that level as well.”

Hewson began working at Lockheed Martin in 1983 as an industrial engineer. Before rising to CEO, she held a variety of operational leadership and executive positions at the company.

According to Fortune magazine, Lockheed Martin serves as the country’s largest government contractor with about $1 billion in contracts in 2018 and a market value of nearly $100 billion.

Hewson said in an email that her education and experiences at Culverhouse laid the groundwork for her professional success and helped shape her approach to business leadership.

“I strongly believe that human beings learn and grow by taking on new challenges and adding to their breadth of experience,” Hewson said. “The University of Alabama provided me with opportunities to do that, both inside and outside the classroom.”

She said her time as an undergraduate at the University was not easy due to a full course load and working night shifts, but it helped her to prioritize and use her time wisely.

Hewson serves on a variety of boards and is currently a member of the President’s Cabinet at The University of Alabama. She is also a member of the Board of Visitors of the Culverhouse College of Business.

In 2017, Hewson donated $5 million to the Culverhouse College of Business for a high-tech lab and research in business-data intelligence and cyber security. Hewson made UA history in 2018 with a $15 million donation to Culverhouse, the largest one-time financial contribution in University history.

Hewson said students should strive to get out of their comfort zone and learn something new each day.

“Go for the opportunities that stretch you and push you to grow,” Hewson said. “Most importantly, don’t put constraints on yourself because you want to be perfect. Just get out there. You will be amazed at what you can achieve as you discover strengths you didn’t know you had and develop skills that will serve you for the rest of your life.”