Colleen Niccum is the Director of Community and Government Relations for Raytheon Missile Systems and is responsible for working with community and state organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofit agencies to support and promote Raytheon’s community engagement and business leadership efforts. These activities include state and local legislative programs in support of critical business priorities, strategic philanthropic giving, education and nonprofit partnerships, and employee volunteerism initiatives. She is also responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs to further Raytheon’s support efforts in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math education, including Raytheon’s signature community outreach program, MathMovesU™.

Previously, Niccum was vice president of Communications and External Affairs and was responsible for communication activities including advertising, trade shows and exhibits, marketing communications, media relations, organizational communications, corporate branding and strategic communications. Niccum led communications activities during a two-year effort to merge Hughes and General Dynamics, a process which encompassed 14,000 employees at six sites in three states.

A native of the Midwest, Niccum earned a B.A. in English from Bethel College and M.A. in journalism from the University of Arizona. She is active in the community and serves as president of the Tucson Values Teachers board of directors and was appointed by Gov. Jan Brewer to the P-20 Coordinating Council. In addition to serving on the TREO board of directors, Niccum is also on the board of the Educational Enrichment Foundation, serves on the advisory boards for the UA’s College of Education and for Expect More Arizona.