Richard (Otter) Bew
Vice President & Chief of Staff
Lockheed Martin
Richard “Otter” Bew is the Vice President and Chief of Staff of Lockheed Martin. He took this position in 2022, having previously led Lockheed Martin’s Joint Capabilities Strategy and Think Tank efforts since joining the company in 2019. He also serves as a National Board Member for the World Affairs Councils of America.
In 2018, Richard ran for congress in the 3rd district of NC, conducting dozens of town halls and forums, including substantive televised policy debates on domestic and international issues, earning endorsement across veterans, National Security, and human rights groups.
Richard had previously served a 29-year career as a Marine Corps Officer and Pilot. His final tour was as the Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, where he advised the Chairman as principal military advisor to Presidents Obama and Trump.
That career began with graduation from Lehigh University and Commissioning as a Marine Officer in 1989. After completing Infantry Officer’s Course in 1990, he became a Naval Aviator and held every leadership, tactical, and instructor designation in his community. He has served as Deputy Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Chief of Staff and Assistant Wing Commander in Afghanistan, Transition Lead for the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and as a squadron commander in combat.
His combat assignments include DENY FLIGHT (Bosnia), DECISIVE ENDEAVOR (Bosnia), DELIBERATE GUARD (Bosnia), NORTHERN WATCH (Iraq), SOUTHERN WATCH (Iraq), ALLIED FORCE (Serbia), IRAQI FREEDOM 1 and 2 (Iraq), and ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan).
His personal decorations include Air Medal Strike/Flight (20 awards), Air Medal Individual action with Combat “V” (2 awards), Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Defense Superior Service Medal.
Richard holds a BA in Philosophy from Lehigh University and Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Richard is often referred to with his military call sign, “Otter.” He is very happily married to Trish. Their son, Richard, is an officer in the US Coast Guard, married to his academy sweetheart, now a therapist. Their daughter, Tiffany, formerly an EMT, is married to son-in-law, Asher, a Marine Officer.
