Kevin Short to succeed Graham Lintott as Managing Director of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin’s New Zealand operation.

Lockheed Martin has appointed retired Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) officer, Air Marshal (Ret.) Kevin Short CNZM as Managing Director of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin’s New Zealand operation, effective November 2024. Short will succeed Graham Lintott, who will retire at the end of November after a decade of service with the company.

According to the 15 October announcement, Short will report directly to Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Warren McDonald and subsequently to Steven Roberton when he assumes the Chief Executive role in December 2024.

Following a career spanning over four decades with the Royal New Zealand Air Force and New Zealand Defence Force, Short retired as Chief of Defence Force in June 2024.

“Lockheed Martin is an important partner to the New Zealand Defence Force, providing world-class capabilities that are essential for our nation’s defence and security. I look forward to contributing to its continued success in supporting New Zealand’s defence objectives.”

McDonald expressed his gratitude to Lintott for his leadership and contribution. “Graham has been pivotal to the growth of the Lockheed Martin New Zealand business both domestically and internationally,” he said. “Under his leadership, Lockheed Martin has supported the New Zealand Defence Force with transformational logistics and sustainment capabilities and initiatives such as the delivery of the new C-130J Super Hercules fleet. We are deeply thankful for his years of service.”

McDonald also extended a warm welcome to Short. “Kevin brings a wealth of experience and deep understanding of New Zealand’s defence environment, which will be invaluable as we continue to grow our operations,” he said.

“We are excited to have him on board and look forward to working closely with him to further our strategic partnerships and commitments in the region.”

“Lockheed Martin is an important partner to the New Zealand Defence Force, providing world-class capabilities that are essential for our nation’s defence and security,” said Short. “I look forward to contributing to its continued success in supporting New Zealand’s defence objectives.”

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Air Marshal (Ret.) Short joined the RNZAF in 1976, accumulating over 5,000 flying hours, primarily on the Lockheed P-3K Orion.

At a senior level, Short was employed in a range of project, plans and development related appointments, including Assistant Chief Development, in which he initiated several major projects including the Hercules and Orion upgrades, and the purchase of the Boeing 757.

Short also filled a range of senior command and representational appointments. In 2002 he served as the NZDF Senior National Officer in USCENTCOM as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. In 2003 he took up the position of Officer Commanding No 485 Wing, RNZAF Base Auckland, with responsibility for the RNZAF Operational Force Elements. In 2006 he served as Senior National Officer and Commander of the NZ Provincial Reconstruction Team (Rotation 9), Bamyan, Afghanistan.

In 2007, Short was appointed Assistant Chief Development in HQNZDF on promotion to the rank of Air Commodore, and in 2009 took up the appointment of Assistant Chief Strategic Commitments and Intelligence. In 2011 he was posted as Deputy Chief of Air Force and in 2013 assumed the appointment of Commander Joint Forces New Zealand in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. He was appointed Vice Chief of Defence Force in 2014.

In 2018 Short was promoted and served as Chief of Defence Force until his retirement in June 2024.

In recognition of his service, in 2022 Short was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia. In 2024 he was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and awarded the US Legion of Merit.