Meet Joseph Rank: Lockheed Martin’s VP and CEO for Saudi Arabia and Africa
Joseph Rank, a retired US Army brigadier general, now holds the prestigious position of vice president and CEO for Lockheed Martin in Saudi Arabia and Africa. With over five years of experience living in the Kingdom, Rank brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
A Veteran in Middle East Policy
Rank previously served as the acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East policy under former secretary of defense James Mattis during his time at the Pentagon. With a strong background in Arabic and extensive experience in the region, Rank has dedicated the last 25 years of his career to focusing on the Middle East.
Extensive Experience Abroad
Throughout his career, Rank has held key positions in various US embassies and within the Pentagon, including roles with the army, joint staff, and office of the secretary of defense staff. He has served as the senior defense attache in four US embassies, including the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, and Yemen.
A Track Record of Success
During his time working overseas, Rank was responsible for overseeing all aspects of defense cooperation in the countries he was posted to. This included managing training programs, bilateral exercises, and multi-billion-dollar foreign military and defense sales to enhance capacity and strengthen relationships.