Vince Di Pietro has been the chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia since December 2016, after joining Lockheed Martin in August 2016. He served in the Royal Australian Navy for 40 years and has flown 5,000 hours in helicopters and aeroplanes. His naval career included leadership roles in aviation; squadron, shore and joint commands; professional military education; diplomacy; safety and risk management; and system safety. Mr Di Pietro holds a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) from Deakin University. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2007 Australia Day Honours List for outstanding achievement as Director General Navy Certification, Safety & Acceptance in Navy Systems Command from December 2003 to January 2006. On promotion to Commodore, Mr Di Pietro became Australia's Naval Attaché to the United States in Washington DC from June 2007 to June 2010. His work as Naval Attaché was recognised by the US with the award of the Legion Of Merit (Officer Division) by the Secretaries of Defence and US Navy. On his return to Australia, Mr Di Pietro became director general of navy capability plans and engagement in Navy Strategic Command and from January 2013, he was Commander Fleet Air Arm. During his Command, significant recapitalisation took place of the Fleet Air Arm’s facilities and aircraft fleet including the delivery of the majority of the 24 Seahawk Romeo helicopters, operational transition and acceptance for shipborne operations of the Maritime Support helicopter, the foundations of the Helicopter Aircrew Training System, and the significant construction & modernisation of the RAN’s aviation facilities in Nowra and WA. Mr Di Pietro retired from full-time service in March 2016. Mr Di Pietro was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2016 for exceptional service as Commander Fleet Air Arm and as Australia’s Naval Attaché to the US. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
