Kenneth W. Cannestra, president of Lockheed Corp.’s...

Kenneth W. Cannestra, president of Lockheed Corp.’s Aeronautical Systems Group, will retire in the second quarter and be succeeded by James A. Blackwell on March 15, Lockheed said.

Cannestra, 64, decided to retire before reaching the required retirement age of 65 to ensure continuity of leadership in the group after Calabasas-based Lockheed completes a previously announced merger with Georgia-based Martin Marietta Corp.

Cannestra joined Lockheed as a senior research engineer in 1962 and was appointed president of Lockheed Aircraft International in 1981. He became president of the Aeronautical Systems Group in 1988.

Blackwell joined Lockheed as a senior aerospace engineer in 1969 after seven years as an engineer with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

* The Cal State Northridge School of Business reported two appointments to its Council of Business Advisors.

Curtis J. Crivelli, executive vice president in the retail banking division of Great Western Bank, and Gregory W. Jones, vice president at the Westlake Village office of State Farm Insurance, will join 25 other members of the council, the university said.

The council, comprised of volunteers, meets several times a year with William R. Hosek, dean of CSUN’s School of Business, to discuss the school’s curriculum and programs.