Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) on Thursday announced that Linda R. Gooden, 53 would become the executive vice president of its Information & Technology Services (I&TS) division.

Gooden would assume the new position at the beginning of next year, taking over for the current executive vice president, Michael F. Camardo, 64, who is retiring. The position would entail managing the $4 billion business division, having the primary role of supporting services to the U.S. government.

"Linda is an extremely capable leader who has demonstrated her ability to create value for our customers and profitable growth for our company and its shareholders,' said Chairman, President and CEO Bob Stevens. "We are fortunate to have such a talented executive on our leadership team.'

Gooden joined the company in 1980 and worked her way up to become the vice president of the firm's software support service unit. She was largely responsible for growing that business from a small, one-customer, one-contract division to a 14,000-employee enterprise providing IT services to federal agencies across the U.S. in more than 60 major locations and in 18 foreign countries.

Gooden was recently named 2006 Black Engineer of the Year by U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine. In 2005, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University of Maryland University College in recognition of her service to the community and to higher education.

Lockheed Martin shares decreased 0.64 cents or 0.75 percent to close at $91.64 in Thursday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.