Robert Hastings is Vice President, Corporate Communications for BAE Systems Inc.; responsible for directing the strategic communications activities for the company’s U.S.-headquartered businesses which collectively employ 45,000 employees in the U.S., U.K., Sweden, Israel and South Africa and generate annual sales in excess of $10 billion. Mr. Hastings brings more than 25 years of public affairs and defense industry experience to his responsibilities which include strategic planning, public affairs, media relations, marketing communications, employee communications, community affairs and the company’s philanthropic activities.
Mr. Hastings was appointed to his current position in 2001. He previously served as Director, Corporate Communications for BAE Systems North America and Director, Communications for Marconi North America.
Prior to joining industry, he spent more than 20 years in the U.S. Army as an Army Aviator and Public Affairs Officer, working at senior levels within the Army and in assignments for the White House and the State Department. His assignments included aviation command positions in the United States, Europe, and Central America; and Public Affairs positions in Germany, Eastern Europe, Iraq, and Bosnia.
A native of Ocean City, Maryland, Mr. Hastings earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and History from the University of Maryland in Heidelberg, Germany. He is a distinguished graduate and former instructor for the Defense Information School Public Affairs Officer Course, a graduate of BAE Systems’ Strategic Leaders Program, and serves on the company’s Communications, Government Relations and Human Resources Councils.
Mr. Hastings is active in numerous community and professional associations, and serves on the board of directors for several Washington, DC and Maryland based organizations. He is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators, an accredited member (APR) of the Public Relations Society of America, and serves as a member of the Board of Advisors for the Fitzwater Center for Communications and as the professional advisor for the Public Relations Student Society at Hood College. |