Student Research Symposium Program Portal: Submission #178

Abstract Benjamin R. Rich was an American aerospace engineer and senior executive whose leadership played a defining role in shaping modern military aviation and systems engineering practice. Best known as the second director of Lockheed’s Advanced Development Projects division, commonly referred to as the Skunk Works, Rich assumed leadership during a period marked by organizational uncertainty, fiscal constraint, and evolving national security demands. This paper examines Rich’s leadership through the lens of contemporary leadership theory, with particular emphasis on traits, behaviors, and leader–follower relationships. Drawing upon concepts from The Leadership Experience, the analysis explores how Rich’s integrity, technical credibility, collaborative leadership style, and emphasis on trust enabled innovation within one of the most complex socio-technical environments of the Cold War. By applying behavioral and relational leadership frameworks, this paper demonstrates how Rich’s approach to leadership extended beyond engineering excellence to cultivate organizational resilience, sustained performance, and transformational technological outcomes.