Lockheed Martin, Turner Construction named OneUK partners

Lockheed Martin and Turner Construction Co. are the newest partners in the University of Kentucky’s strategic collaboration program OneUK, the university announced Nov. 17.

OneUK provides a long-term, coordinated and holistic engagement experience between the university and select businesses through a mutual commitment to broaden and deepen their collaboration with UK. The program aims to strengthen relationships with strategic partners across all UK colleges, centers and institutes. This collaboration in talent, innovation and support is intended to be mutually beneficial for both the university and its partners, ultimately advancing the economic interests of the Commonwealth.

Lockheed Martin employs more than 1,500 people across Kentucky to meet key global security needs and support missions around the world. The company has partnered with the Commonwealth for more than 15 years, contributing to some of the nation’s most critical efforts across air, land, sea and space.

“Partnering with the University of Kentucky through OneUK directly strengthens the talent and innovation pipeline that enables opportunities and enhances our ability to create new jobs in the local community.” said Vic Torla, vice president of Lockheed Martin Special Operations Forces Global Logistics Support Services (SOF GLSS). “This collaboration gives us immediate access to world class engineering and manufacturing expertise, enabling us to deliver agile, mission focused solutions for our customers around the globe.”

In April, UK Innovate and Lockheed Martin announced a collaboration focused on leveraging cutting-edge expertise to drive innovation in engineering, materials, energy and manufacturing technologies.

That partnership expanded in August, when Lockheed Martin opened a new office at UK’s Coldstream Research Campus. The facility adds up to 70 full-time jobs to the Coldstream community and further strengthens the connection between the company and the university.

“What began as a shared commitment to innovation and mission success has grown into a relationship where the University of Kentucky’s talent, research, resources and infrastructure are now viewed as a true extension of the SOF GLSS team,” said Landon Borders, UK senior executive director for research and development partnerships. “This is exactly the kind of integrated, high-impact partnership OneUK was designed to foster.”

Turner Construction Co., one of the largest construction management companies in the United States, has a long history of building landmark projects in Kentucky and around the globe. The company has a longstanding relationship with UK, having completed more than 30 projects on campus including work on the Albert B. Chandler Hospital and currently the Rankin Health Education Building and Agricultural Research Building projects.

“Our history with UK spans decades and joining OneUK is a natural extension of that partnership,” said Dave Opalka, vice president-construction executive at Turner Construction. “We’re proud to collaborate with the university whose mission aligns with our own — advancing education and strengthening communities, providing meaningful impact across Kentucky. Together, we are building world-class facilities, while investing in the people and local businesses to advance our Commonwealth together."

In addition to building the university’s physical infrastructure, Turner is helping to build Kentucky’s economic foundation through its partnership with UK on the Construction Business Accelerator program. The initiative equips local contractors and small construction-related businesses with the knowledge, mentorship and resources needed to grow and compete for major projects. By combining UK’s educational expertise with Turner’s industry leadership, the program strengthens the state’s construction ecosystem and ensures that the university’s investments also benefit the local business community.

Lockheed Martin and Turner Construction Co. join six other OneUK collaborators, which include Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Bullard, Catalent, Fidelity Investments, Fischer Homes and Valvoline Global. Since the launch of OneUK, these collaborators have joined with the OneUK core team and college liaisons to engage with the university, sponsoring events such as DanceBlue, hosting Career Builder Days on campus and sponsoring UK faculty and student research.

OneUK is part of the University of Kentucky’s Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network, a statewide framework that unites UK with partners across education, health care, business, government and community sectors. The AKT Network is committed to working with and alongside communities to improve conditions in all 120 Kentucky counties.

For additional information on OneUK and its strategic collaborators, visit the program’s website at https://businessengagement.uky.edu/oneuk. For more information about the Advancing Kentucky Together Network, visit its website at https://akt.uky.edu/.