Woody Woodyard serves as Vice President, Communications, Lockheed Martin. He is responsible for leading and executing global strategic communications programs and plans that promote and showcase Sikorsky’s innovative rotorcraft flight solutions that drive the company’s business objectives. Woody oversees executive communications, media relations, employee and external communications, public relations, crisis communications, brand and reputation management, community relations, corporate social responsibility and government communications.
He leads a staff of professional communicators and manages critical stakeholder relationships with elected public officials, aerospace and industry associations, Think Tanks, Third Party Influencers and Advocacy groups. He is a member of the Sikorsky Aircraft Executive Committee.
Woody has more than 30 years of strategic communications, crisis communications, public relations, media relations, employee communications and government relations experience. He served as Director, Business Unit Communications, Media Relations and Marketing Communications for Pratt & Whitney from 2010 to 2012. Prior to joining United Technologies Corporation in April 2010, Woody held several senior communications and government affairs leadership positions of increased responsibility with the U.S. Air Force, including Chief of Legislative Liaison Programs, Secretary of the Air Force; Public Affairs Advisor, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force; Director of Public Affairs, Military Airlift Command; Vice Commander, Maxwell Air Force Base; Chief of Public Affairs at installations in Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia, Greenland, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, and served a combat tour as Multi-National Force Iraq, Chief of Staff, Strategic Communications, Baghdad, Iraq.
A retired Air Force colonel, Woody has a proven record of providing valued strategic communications advice and counsel to senior executives and management that drive business results and deliver solutions for complex challenges. He is respected for his visionary leadership, creative thinking and ability to recruit, retain and develop talent, and build high-performance teams. Woody holds a bachelor of science degree in telecommunications management from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Maryland, College of Journalism, a master’s degree in national resource strategy from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and attended the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, Executive Program.
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Cal LaRoche, a brilliant and dedicated advisor and champion of the Ron Brown Scholar Program, who left us on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025.
Born in New York in January 1946, Cal graduated from Central State University in Ohio, where he joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. His career spanned decades of leadership and innovation, beginning at the National Security Agency and continuing through key roles at IBM, SkyTel Communications, and The Orkand Corporation.
A visionary entrepreneur, Cal later co-founded DC Ventures and Associates.
His commitment to service was unwavering. Cal chaired the Boards of Trustees at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda and Norwood School and served with distinction for 15 years on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. His leadership extended to the Beta Mu, Boulé Foundation Board, where he served as Chair, and to Patients For Affordable Drugs, where he was a founding board member and Treasurer.
An avid golfer and advocate for equity in the sport, Cal co-founded the Pro-Duffer/Carter Foundation Scholarship to promote diversity in golf. A long-time member of TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, he was as passionate about creating opportunity as he was about the game itself.
Cal’s legacy is carried on by his beloved family: his mother, Lucille “Gloria” David; his wife, Esperanza, and their sons, CJ and Ethan; his former wife, Cheryl LaRoche; their daughters, Gina LaRoche, Renee LaRoche-Morris, and Danielle LaRoche; six grandchildren; and his siblings. His wisdom, warmth, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people will remain an enduring part of the Ron Brown Scholar community.
We are forever grateful for Cal’s enduring support, leadership, and love. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and deep humanity. He will be deeply missed.
