James D. Taiclet

James Taiclet was born in Pittsburgh, on May 13, 1960. His father, James Sr., served in the U.S. Army at the Wiesbaden Air Base in Germany, and later became a boilermaker in Pittsburgh. His mother, Mary Ann (née Foley), was a homemaker and school administrator.

Taiclet graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1982 with a degree in engineering and international relations. While at the academy, Taiclet played on the rugby team, serving as captain during his senior year.

Taiclet earned a master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University, where he was awarded a fellowship at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.

Taiclet first worked in the private sector as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. from July 1991 to February 1996. He then joined Pratt & Whitney as vice president of engine services until 1999, and was then president of Honeywell Aerospace Services until 2001.

In 2001, American Tower recruited Taiclet for the role of chief operating officer. He was named chief executive officer of American Tower in October 2003 after the departure of Steven B. Dodge, and was selected as chairman in February 2004. He remained as CEO and on the board of American Tower until 2020.

In 2018, Taiclet joined the board of directors of Lockheed Martin.

In June 2020, Taiclet was named as CEO of Lockheed Martin, succeeding Marillyn Hewson. He was named chairman of the company in March 2021.

On February 16, 2023, China placed two companies, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, on its unreliable entities list as they sold arms to Taiwan, banning them from engaging in China-related import or export activities and making new investments in China. Senior executives of the two companies, including Taiclet, have since then been prohibited from entering China, as well as working, staying and residing in China.