Ambassador Stuart Holliday

Ambassador Stuart Holliday is the Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer of Lockheed Martin. In this new role, Holliday leads Communications and Government Affairs strategies and activities in full coordination with the company’s international operations - advancing engagement with key policymakers and customers.

Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Stuart Holliday was the CEO of Meridian International Center, a leading nonpartisan institution advancing global security and prosperity through effective leadership and diplomacy. Under his leadership, Meridian, founded in 1960, has emerged as an essential catalyst for collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the diplomatic community.

Ambassador Stuart Holliday served as United States Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations (2003-2005) after the President's nomination and the Senate's confirmation. Holliday's primary duties involved representing the United States on issues in the U.N. Security Council. This included responsibility for U.S. policy on U.N. Peacekeeping, Sanctions, and Counterterrorism programs. Before serving at the United Nations, Holliday was Coordinator (Assistant Secretary) of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

From 2000 to 2001, he was Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of Presidential Personnel at the White House. At the White House, he advised the President on appointments to the State Department, the Defense Department, the Veterans Department, FEMA, NASA, OPIC, Peace Corps, USAID, and Ambassadorships. Following the attacks of September 11, Holliday was tasked by the President's Chief of Staff to work with government agencies to staff the first Office of Homeland Security at the White House.

From 1998 to 2000, he served as Assistant (Deputy) Policy Director to the Governor of Texas. In this capacity, he had specific responsibility for economic development, international trade, technology, and military issues. Previously, Holliday served as Executive Director of the Dallas Council on World Affairs and Regional Director for North Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey at the International Republican Institute (IRI), where he worked on political reform and elections.

Holliday served on active and reserve duty as an Officer in the United States Navy (Intelligence) from 1988 until 1995 and was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. He is a recipient of the Joint Service Commendation Medal and other awards. In 2022, Holliday was honored with the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

He obtained his B.S.F.S. (International Affairs) from Georgetown University and his M.A. (International Affairs and History) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Holliday is a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He also serves as a Trustee of the Center for the Study of Presidency and Congress, and the Blair House Foundation.