Heather Cotter

Background

About Heather Cotter

With over 21 years of experience in the aerospace and defense industry, my career began as a military spouse immersed in the world of high-ranking U.S. Air Force flag officers. This early exposure taught me the importance of protocol, discretion, and diplomacy—skills that became the foundation of my professional path. I transitioned into the industry with Northrop Grumman, where I assisted in running a classified facility and led major U.S. Navy training and events, including the christening of the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier attended by the President and First Family. At Lockheed Martin, I served as a Protocol & Events Manager, orchestrating high-profile visits and international dignitary engagements, where critical business deals and contract signings took place. My customer-centric approach led me to the Center for Leadership Excellence as a Customer Relations Manager, before advancing to oversee the entire operation as the Facilities Operations Manager. In this role, I have supported the CEO and executive leadership team for over 16 years. I introduced innovative solutions to long-standing facility issues, leading comprehensive renovations and modernizing key systems and procedures—resulting in a significantly enhanced and future-ready customer experience. At Lockheed Martin, I have served as Facilities Operations Manager for several years leading a multidisciplinary team. With a certification in Applied Project Management, I have focused on operational efficiency, PM methodologies that have led to propelling customer satisfaction to new heights. I lead a team of 85 contractors, and under my leadership, the facility has achieved unprecedented levels of customer satisfaction—consistently reaching ratings as high as 98% for the past two years. These results represent the highest performance and recognition the facility has received since its opening 16 years ago. I fostered a collaborative, cross-functional environment that consistently exceeded expectations in project execution—setting new standards for high-visibility, C-level client initiatives and events within the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of Lockheed Martin.