Exec to eye AV's aerospace future

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press December 13, 2000

By VALLEY PRESS STAFF

LANCASTER - Global impact is the theme of the Antelope Valley's Business Outlook Conference coming in February. Or, you could call it 2001, an aerospace odyssey.

For the Valley's premier annual business event, the Antelope Valley's global role in the advancement of aerospace will get the expert treatment from the executive who leads the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. advanced development wing in Palmdale.

Richard W. Baker is vice president and site general manager of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. shop that the world once knew as the Skunk Works.

Recognizing the importance of the worldwide economy, the Board of Trade planning committee has chosen "Antelope Valley: Creating Global Impact" as the theme for the Business Outlook Conference 2001.

"We have chosen to invite speakers who we believe have a global view of business for the Valley," said Norm Hickling, committee chairman.

California Technology, Trade and Commerce Secretary Lon Hatamiya and Dr. Nancy Sidhu, economist with the L.A. Economic Development Corp., are among this year's group of speakers.

Baker, a veteran of advanced projects for Lockheed Martin across the cutting edge of stealth technology, will speak at the Antelope Valley Board of Trade's Business Outlook Conference 2001 on Feb. 2 at the Essex House Convention Center.

Baker, promoted to senior company executive at the Palmdale plant in June, is responsible for effective site management of the 4,100employee operation. Before that appointment, he was vice president of Combat Weapons Systems Programs responsible for the joint strike fighter concept demonstrator aircraft X35, F-22 and F-117.

He has also served as the director of engineering for the Skunk Works, manager of the X35 concept demonstrator aircraft and deputy chief engineer of the F-117 stealth fighter.

Baker received his Associate of Arts degree from Pasadena City College and bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. He is a graduate of numerous Lockheed Martin Senior Management Institute courses.

The Board of Trade is seeking companies that are interested in becoming sponsors for the biggest business conference of the year in Antelope Valley.

Sponsorship categories include diamond, $5,000 and over; platinum, $2,500 or over; and gold, $1,000 and over. The benefits for sponsors include a recognition and conference program and an invitation to the prestigious VIP reception the evening before the event.

The ticket price includes admission, continental breakfast, luncheon, AV 2001 video and the 2001 AV Demographic and Economic Study.

Tickets for the conference are $110 before Jan. 12 and $125 at the door, with corporate tables of 10 for $1,000. Doors at the Essex House Convention Center in Lancaster will open at 8 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, and the conference will close at 2 p.m.

For ticket reservations contact the BOT office at (661) 942-9581 or fax (661) 723-9279. Email hbrooks@avbot.org <mailto:hbrooks@avbot.org> or go to the Web site, www.avbot.org. < http://www.avbot.org.>