Kathy Wharton-Johnson ’04 is support specialist, Assistant to the Vice President, Middle East-Africa Region for Lockheed Martin International. Kathy joined Lockheed Martin International as the Special Assistant to the Vice President, Middle East and Africa in October 2014. In this capacity she is responsible for providing executive support to the Vice President and business development teams for all Lockheed Martin international programs throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Kathy joined Lockheed Martin after serving 21 years in the United States Navy. In 2003 she was initiated as a Chief Petty Officer and served proudly until her retirement in August 2014. As a Flag Officer Writer she held staff leadership roles and crafted speeches, papers and briefs for Flag and General Officers. Military service highlights include Pentagon and Navy Staff positions on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, Office of the Naval Inspector General, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Fleet Readiness and Logistics, and Commandant Naval District Washington. Deployments include the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71), USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74), and MPSRON-3 in Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands where she served as the Administrative Officer and Senior Enlisted Advisor.
A native of Eden, NC, Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from University of Maryland Global Campus, a master’s degree in management from Webster University, and is pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, Walden University.
“The flexibility of my program (at UMGC) enabled me to complete my studies while working full-time and being a very busy wife and mom,” said Kathy.
Her military decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and various unit, campaign and service awards.