text:
This position is responsible for developing and managing the execution of industry positions, policies, events and programs on all matters related to the aerospace and defense workforce and Industrial Base.
Nature and Scope of Work:
Reporting: This position reports to the Asst. Vice President, Technical Operations and Workforce
Responsibilities: This position is responsible for developing and managing the execution of all efforts related to current and future aerospace workforce and industrial-base policies, programs and initiatives and to overcome challenges that may impede these efforts for industry.
As Director, Workforce and Industrial-Base Development responsibility is to support the AIA Workforce Policy Working Groups, the Business Technology Interoperability Committee and the Engineering Management Committee, which report into the AIA Workforce Policy Council and the Technical Operation Council respectively. This position coordinates analytical efforts, projects and programs concerned with the development, attraction, recruitment, retention and enhancement of the aerospace workforce. Issue areas include science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educational policy and programs; education and workforce training policies at the federal, state and local-levels; and development of and industry participation in national, state and regional-level STEM coalitions and networks. In addition this position is responsible for supporting the AIA Business Technology Interoperability and Engineering Management Committees facilitating consensus positions, guidelines and standards. The goal of these products is to aggregate outcomes to improve and sustain the Aerospace and Defense Industrial base.
This position also monitors statutes, policies and regulations that affect education, personnel policy, and other related matters for information that may be of interest to AIA member companies. In addition, this position coordinates functional activities with other AIA councils and committees to ensure broadly integrated coverage of workforce, Engineering and technology issues as they affect different sectors of the aerospace industry and related government agencies.
Typical Duties:
Submit resume and cover letter, indicating the position for which you are applying, to: firstname.lastname@example.com
Human Resources
Aerospace Industries Association
1000 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1700
Arlington, VA 22209
703-358-1135 (fax)
AIA relies on interns to support a wide array of activities, ranging from policy and regulatory advocacy to marketing and event support. the subject line. To apply, please submit a resume and to jobs[at]aia-aerospace.org and include your requested department.
AIA is looking to fill internships in all of our major functional areas including:
Aerospace Research Center
Civil Aviation
Communications/Public Relations
Legislative Affairs
National Security and Acquisition Policy
Internships are flexible depending on students' schedules. Interns are eligible to receive a monthly stipend. All submissions should be sent to: email@example.com
The Research Intern contributes to all activities undertaken by the Research Department, under the guidance of the Research Manager. Projects typically involve quantitative research related to the U.S. and foreign aerospace markets. While the majority of projects are quantitative in nature, many involve presenting the research findings in written reports, briefs, and position papers. Consequently, strong writing skills are also frequently utilized.
Primary Activities:
• Researches and prepares Aerospace Facts and Figures, a statistical handbook used worldwide as the authoritative compendium of U.S. aerospace industry data
• Maintains AIA databases; this frequently involves use of Microsoft Excel and Access
• Produces written, tabular, and visual materials for research reports, presentations, and publication
• Summarizes, revises, or interprets complex or specialized literature for general audiences
• Composes and edits specialized reports for internal or external circulation; proofreads material for publication
AIA is seeking a dynamic, motivated individual to join the communications team for an internship. AIA represents the largest aerospace and defense industry players before Congress and the administration. The communications team facilitates that interaction through publicity, media outreach and coordinating efforts among members with a broad diversity of interests. We have a number of special events this year, including the first-ever National Aerospace Week, an Executive Committee meeting and our 45th Annual Year-End Review & Forecast Luncheon. We are looking for a communications or journalism major to help out in all aspects of our busy office. Duties include: writing articles for newsletter, web site features and press releases; helping organize meetings and other event planning; and special projects. Join us for a first-hand look at the conjunction of industry and policy!
Work with an exciting team at the most prominent aerospace related association in the United States. AIA's membership department manages, coordinates and supports AIA's over one-hundred full members – companies like Lockheed Martin, The Boeing Company, ITT, GE, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Textron, Rolls Royce, and a host of other top notch global aerospace primes and suppliers make up the regular membership. One of membership's most critical tasks is organizing and staffing AIA's annual Members and Board of Governors Meetings. There are two major meetings held by AIA during the year. To assist and support our annual events, AIA is looking for an intern that is motivated, well organized, has a pleasant personal and telephone demeanor, writes well, and can work at a fast pace with a great team of AIA professionals. Reaching out to members, assisting with organizational and administrative aspects of the event, attending and supporting the events, assisting our civil, space, and international divisions organize CEO and senior management briefings, and many other tasks make up the duties. We also have an exciting membership campaign underway and a host of other tasks.
AIA has an open position for an intern who could assist on a project in the technical operations area. This project is coordinated by AIA for a group of experienced aerospace engineers who are responsible for the maintenance of the National Aerospace Standards (Fasteners) of the aerospace industry.
The project requires digitizing several hundred drawings, transferring text data and technical drawings into a standardized electronic template, and preparing a document for release to the NAS Committee. The AIA assumes professional responsibility for the work being done.
We are looking for someone who is familiar with general engineering principles, such as product specifications and technical drawing skills. The candidate should have experience with AutoCAD systems. The workflow of the project includes electronic, virtual as well as paper-based documentation and discussion; good communication skills are therefore very desirable.
The Space Potatoes rocketry team from Bellevue, Washington, bested 100 of the top student rocketry teams in the country to claim first place at the 2016 Team America Rocketry Challenge National Finals.
Odle Middle School Declared National Champions, will Compete Internationally in July
Arlington, Va. – The Space Potatoes rocketry team from Bellevue, Washington, bested 100 of the top student rocketry teams in the country to claim first place at the 2016 Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) National Finals.
The five-student team outscored nearly 5,000 students on 789 teams that participated in this year's competition from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Space Potatoes, comprised of Mikaela Ikeda (12), Larry Jing (13), Karl Deerkop (14), Srivatshan (Sri) Sakthinarayanan (13) and Stephanie Han (13), were awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships and funds for their school.
"These students demonstrated incredible ingenuity and a passion for aerospace and STEM education," said David F. Melcher, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. "We are proud of their accomplishments and wish them luck on their quest for the international title!"
Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry, TARC models the aerospace and defense industry's design, engineering and testing processes by requiring students to build a rocket that flies to exactly 850 feet and safely returns a payload of two raw eggs within 44-46 seconds. At the National Finals, students were required to adjust their rockets 'on the fly' to hit new flight/duration parameters for a second round of launches.
Aiming for a perfect score of zero, the Space Potatoes achieved an impressive combined score of 13.64, a mark that surpassed that of the 2015 world champion team. In July, they will travel to London – courtesy of The Raytheon Company – to represent the United States at the International Rocketry Challenge, where they will compete against teams from the United Kingdom, France and Japan.
"Rocketry competitions allow students to practice science, technology, engineering and math while testing the fundamental components of team building and collaboration," said Thomas A. Kennedy, Raytheon Chairman and CEO. "As technologists and engineers on a rocketry team, these students have set a foundation that will lead them to exciting and challenging professional opportunities."
TARC is sponsored by The Raytheon Company, along with Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales USA and 20 industry sponsors.
"The middle and high school students taking part in this year's Team America Rocketry Challenge are part of the generation that will land humans on Mars and make scientific discoveries we can't yet imagine," said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As an industry, we must invest in their future by engaging and inspiring these students to pursue STEM education and choose a career in aerospace—and that's exactly what this program has done for the past 14 years."
"Congratulations to the Space Potatoes rocketry team, who had an impressive performance to win this year's competition," said Alan Pellegrini, CEO of Thales USA. "At Thales, we love seeing young people engage in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – STEM – and TARC is an amazing opportunity to get students interested early. As part of the Mars Generation these students are our industry's future which is why Thales is proud to sponsor this competition."
For more information, visit www.rocketcontest.org.
View the multimedia news release: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7615351-team-america-rocketry-challenge/
To: June 16, 2016
AIA Vice President for Civil Aviation Ali Bahrami is moderating a panel on "The Future of UAS"
For more information and to register, please visit http://1.usa.gov/1Oq0pCV
Statement by Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO David F. Melcher on passage of Miscellaneous Tariff Bill.
Arlington, Va. — AIA welcomes the passage of H.R. 4923, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016. Also known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, it passed both chambers with nearly unanimous bipartisan support. We strongly urge President Obama to sign the bill and pass it into law.
Tariff bills like this play a critical role for our manufacturers as they correct, on a temporary basis, costs and distortions by eliminating duties on imported products. Congress has not passed a new tariff package since the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act in 2010 expired at the end of 2012. As a result, manufacturers throughout the country have faced higher costs on their domestically made products, through tariffs on key elements in the manufacturing process that must be imported.
H.R. 4923 would establish a new process to eliminate unnecessary taxes on imported resources and products for which there is no or insufficient domestic production and availability, improving the competitiveness of our manufacturers on a global scale. This will be especially important for our small- and medium-sized manufacturers, as they seek to grow their operations and sustain American jobs.
AIA applauds the bipartisan effort of both chambers and commends Congress for their swift action.
Montreal, 10 May 2016 – A High Level Meeting being convened by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on 11 May received executive-level support from the aviation industry today, as leaders representing all parts of the sector encouraged governments to progress their deliberations on a global carbon offsetting scheme for air transport.
The ICAO discussions have been gathering pace since the UN specialised aviation agency agreed to the development of an economic mechanism at its Assembly in 2013. The next such meeting, in September this year, will decide on the design of the scheme in which CO2 emissions growth from 2020 is offset through the international carbon markets, effectively capping the growth in international aviation emissions. It is seen as part of a basket of measures to tackle aviation's CO2 emissions, alongside new technology, use of sustainable alternative fuel, improved operations and more efficient infrastructure.
At today's Global Sustainable Aviation Forum, timed to support the intergovernmental talks, Executive Director of the cross-industry Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), Michael Gill, said: "We are now less than five months away from the crucial ICAO Assembly, at which industry hopes governments will agree to go ahead with the global offsetting scheme. We have come a long way and made impressive progress. But key negotiating points remain and we encourage our government colleagues to spend the next few days ironing out any remaining differences at the ICAO High Level Meeting."
Following technical and political discussions, ICAO developed a proposal for a global offsetting scheme, which was presented to States in January. Consultations have taken place since then through regional education and outreach sessions. The High Level Meeting starting tomorrow is expected to make further progress, but sticking points such as differentiation between developing and developed economies remain.
Gill commented, "These discussions were never going to be easy – this is the first time any sector has attempted such a global mechanism. But the industry is fully behind the plan, as evidenced by an open letter sent to governments from 28 industry chief executives in September last year. We have followed that today with a Communiqué from the Global Sustainable Aviation Forum, outlining the industry's thoughts on the process."
The Communiqué emphasised:
The Communiqué is available at http://bit.ly/1WWXesZ and summarises interventions from the following aviation industry leaders:
ACI Director General, Angela Gittens, said, "The aviation industry is as one in our commitment to tackling climate change. Our goals, originally set out at ATAG's 2008 Aviation and Environment Summit, are ambitious and a globally agreed set of offsetting rules is vital to our continued unified progress on CO2 emissions reduction. We applaud ICAO for the work it has done to date and look forward to the positive outcome of tomorrow's High Level Meeting, marking a significant next step in aviation's world-leading climate change activities."
CANSO Director General, Jeff Poole, said, "As well as carbon offsetting, all parts of the industry have important roles to play in climate change actions. Improvements in air traffic management are helping to reduce emissions through measures such as performance-based navigation, air traffic flow management, shortening of routes and more flexible routings."
IATA Director General and CEO, Tony Tyler said, "Airlines are determined to do the right thing in mitigating their climate change impact. And we are counting on the 191 member states of ICAO to enable that important result by reaching an agreement later this year on a global market based measure."
IBAC Director General, Kurt Edwards, said, "IBAC supports ICAO's work to address carbon emissions. With more than 17,000 business aircraft operators around the world, we encourage ICAO to develop a global MBM that is simple, reasonable, and fair for all stakeholders."
Chair of ICCAIA, David Melcher, the President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, said, "We are optimistic that the ICAO Assembly will agree to a global market-based measure for operators. The measure will complement the four items that comprise our climate change improvement actions – technology, operations, infrastructure, and alternative fuel development and deployment. The recent agreement made on civil aircraft CO2 emissions illustrates that government, industry and NGOs can come together under ICAO and achieve a significant first-of-a-kind standard."
To: Sep. 29, 2016
For more information, see flyer here.
FAA UAS Rulemaking - The FAA recently demonstrated that government bureaucracies need not work at glacial speed to thoughtfully address technological change. This rulemaking model should be encouraged.
AIA believes government and industry can realize significant benefits by increasing and improving collaborative government and industry use of Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE), especially during the early requirements definition phase. This white paper discusses the current state and benefits of MBSE across the entire life cycle and provides proposals for addressing such issues as MBSE Collaborative Framework, Government Data Rights, Intellectual Property, and Life Cycle Effectiveness with MBSE.
A new study commissioned by AIA from business information firm IHS Inc. concludes that aerospace and defense is a vital component of the U.S. economy, not solely for the role the industry plays in national security, transportation and technological innovation, but also because its influence spans many sectors and every state countrywide.
Arlington, Va. — The American aerospace and defense industry is a vital component of the U.S. economy, not solely for the role the industry plays in national security, transportation and technological innovation, but also because its influence spans many sectors and every state countrywide. This is the conclusion of a new study commissioned by AIA from business information firm IHS Inc. about the industry's economic impact.
"This new study demonstrates definitively that America's aerospace and defense industry is an engine of economic progress, in addition to its having a vital role in helping keep our citizens safe and secure," said AIA President and CEO David F. Melcher. "When you hear people talk about the importance of ensuring we keep good manufacturing jobs in the U.S., you can start with the solid foundation of our industry."
In the study, IHS estimates that in 2015 the U.S. aerospace and defense industry fueled the following contributions to the U.S. economy:
Melcher noted that contributing to economic performance of the American aerospace and defense industry of late has been "strong growth in international markets, including a record balance of trade in 2015 of $69.6 billion, which has helped accelerate our country's recent economic recovery." Melcher pointed out that the good news abroad "helped our industry deal with the negative headwinds caused by cuts to federal defense, civil aviation and space budgets mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011 and global market forces that have negatively impacted the U.S. manufacturing base."
The complete study, "Aerospace and Defense Economic Impact Analysis," can be found on AIA's website: www.aia-aerospace.org.
In January 2016, the Aerospace Industries Association commissioned business information firm IHS, Inc. to quantify the economic contributions of the U.S. Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry to the U.S. economy and provide enhanced understanding of the industry's extensive supply chain, by economic sector at the national and state level. The key findings of this study measure the economic contribution the A&D industry makes in terms of employment, value added (contribution to GDP), sales (output), labor income and taxes within the broader economy.
In the study, IHS estimates that in 2015 the U.S. aerospace and defense industry fueled the following contributions to the U.S. economy:
The Aerospace Industries Association takes great pride in our member companies' work in support of the space-based Earth observations capabilities that NASA, NOAA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and other government agencies put to use on behalf of our nation and people worldwide. Today, as this report details, space-based Earth observations are critical to saving lives in the event of natural disasters, improving the management of our resources and infrastructure, understanding our weather and supporting national security.
The next generation of space innovation is being driven by the global commercial space environment. Just as our nation did after initial Soviet successes, we must set the pace in space by out-innovating and out-competing the global competition.
Dave Melcher's speech at the 32nd Space Symposium makes the point that while U.S. space companies compete well in the $330 billion space global market, there's no question we could and should be doing much better.
To become the commercial space leader, we must acknowledge the next generation of space innovation is being driven by the global commercial space environment. Just as our nation did after initial Soviet successes, we must set the pace in space by out-innovating and out-competing the global competition. We must also be prepared to work with potential partners to grow the worldwide space economy.
Thank you and good morning. It is my pleasure to speak to you on behalf of America's aerospace industry – an industry that includes established companies and new entrants – both of which are essential to our 21st century space ambitions.
It's an honor to follow Congressman Jim Bridenstine who has brought new energy and commitment to the space policy discussion on Capitol Hill. I'm also very pleased to be the warm up act for NASA's leader, Administrator Charlie Bolden. His passionate advocacy of NASA's exploration and research missions deserves our praise. He also deserves our continued support. I was personally happy to do this when AIA recently participated with the Administrator in an event promoting NASA's bold New Aviation Horizons initiative.
Currently, AIA is working with scientific and academic community stakeholders to convince federal decision makers that NASA deserves an overall funding increase. It bears repeating that if NASA had the same purchasing power it had 20 years ago, its budget would $2 billion higher today. And that would buy us a lot of capabilities for aeronautics, human space exploration, and space science.
For those unfamiliar with AIA, let me tell you what we're all about. As the voice of America's aerospace and defense industry, we're fighting for strategic priorities that are critical to our nation's space leadership and for global space activities.
Our first priority is to advocate for policies and budgets that strengthen our industry and help grow the economy. That's why we vigorously fought to lift the budget caps that were harming NASA's ability to conduct new missions, NOAA's weather satellite programs, and DoD's space programs.
We also joined with our Space Foundation colleagues in developing a white paper to educate presidential and congressional candidates about the space industry's importance and diversity. While space has not been discussed in the presidential debates, it doesn't mean we shouldn't make the effort to inform all federal candidates about the important role space plays in all of our lives.
Our second priority is to improve the U.S. aerospace and defense infrastructure and retain U.S. industrial base capability – including the STEM workforce. We think these issues are critical to sustaining and advancing American innovation. Indeed, NASA is making great progress in creating hubs of innovation around the nation at its Centers and at universities, furthering the fact that space is a critical component of the U.S. innovation ecosystem.
A third priority is to work responsibly to enhance our nation's safety and security and protect the environment. We define the environment broadly to include space systems that monitor our home planet, as well as having a safe space environment to operate human and satellite space assets. That's why Space Situational Awareness is increasingly important. We simply can't afford to have a collapse of our space infrastructure – instead, we need to be building and protecting it.
A final priority and my primary focus for today is to ensure that the U.S. is a robust competitor in the global marketplace for space-related commercial infrastructure, products, and services.
At one time our nation was focused on the space competition with the Soviet Union—for military capabilities and civil space prestige. Now, as the Space Foundation's Global Space Activities annual report highlights, the international commercial market is largely propelling space enterprises. Of the $330 billion in global space activity in 2014, three quarters was commercially related.
While U.S. space companies compete well in this market, there's no question we could and should be doing much better.
I believe the European nations as well as Japan, Russia and India view the space market as a strategic commercial opportunity for growing their economies. And so should we. Yet in the past, we have literally shot ourselves in the foot with detrimental policies and political apathy that has denied billions in global market opportunities to U.S. companies.
The first decision was the 1998 congressionally mandated imposition of munitions-level export controls on satellites. American companies' share in the global commercial satellite market subsequently plummeted from 63 percent to 30 percent. Fortunately, due to the intervention of the Bush and Obama administrations a series of reforms has modernized export controls, giving our companies a fair chance to compete for commercial satellite contracts. I can tell you from my previous role as the CEO of Exelis that key contracts with Japan and South Korea for weather payloads helped to preserve a piece of the industrial base that is critical to our nation.
The second, more recent self-inflicted wound to U.S. commercial space success was last year's effort by an extreme minority in Congress to block reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. This was no small matter. During the several months that Congress failed to act on the Bank's future, U.S. satellite manufacturing companies and the small companies that support them lost at least three major satellites sales to foreign competitors and possibly launch service contracts as well.
While some Washington experts felt that fighting for Ex-Im was a lost cause our industry did not give up. AIA was part of a coalition that worked hard to convince legislators that the Bank's lending authority is essential to helping our satellite manufacturers. We argued that our foreign competitors, backed by very aggressive national credit banks, viewed with glee a U.S. economic policy of unilateral disarmament.
We're gratified that Congress heeded our call and voted in December to keep Ex-Im going strong. But we still need the Senate to confirm the President's nomination of Mark McWatters, a Republican, to the Bank's Board of Directors so that Ex-Im can fully function in supporting major U.S. export sales, including hopefully more space exports.
On this subject please let me make one thing very clear. We welcome international competition in the commercial space arena. Competition helps drive innovation. Our goal is to assure that U.S. companies can compete fairly in this important market segment. And our hope is that the U.S. government will realize – as other nations already have – that space provides an increasingly promising commercial business opportunity that can fuel our long-term economic growth.
Indeed, the larger lesson of the export control and Ex-Im fiascos is that rather than fighting defensive battles against self-defeating policies, we need to get on the offensive in this important commercial arena. To do this our nation needs a 21st Century Commercial Space Competitiveness Strategy.
To create the conditions necessary to compete in the global commercial space marketplace, we must invest in technology development, workforce, exports and innovation. And in our thinking, a strong, comprehensive 21st Century Commercial Space Competitiveness Strategy should include policy, regulatory and advocacy elements that achieve these objectives.
Let's start with policy. As just one example, hosted payloads have great economic potential – that is if there is a clear, well-coordinated policy that provides industry the opportunity to bring innovative solutions to the market. Hosted payloads cross both national security and civil applications and we must find a way to work collaboratively to address the challenge of their dual use, just as we have with Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
We also need policies that help spur and keep pace with technology development. Both the government and industry can join forces in supporting the development and fielding of bold new space applications for the commercial market such as Wi-Fi from space and even power generation.
Those federal agencies with trade portfolios should in our judgment adopt a positive focus on sector-specific elements of the space industrial base and establish measurable space trade and export objectives in each of those sectors. We should also consider giving NASA a space trade promotion role, to complement the work of our trade promotion agencies as they seek to enhance U.S. space competitiveness as well as to promote enhanced space cooperation.
Turning to regulation, we strongly believe in building on the momentum of export reform. We encourage the U.S. government to immediately publish the final rules for Category 15—Space Systems— emphasizing raising the limits of allowable aperture size which reflects changes in the global marketplace. Right now we are behind and we're falling further behind.
In addition, the government should work expeditiously to complete the regulatory rulemaking related to dual-use communication satellites so companies no longer face unnecessary barriers when pursuing export sales.
We also should take forward-leaning stances on orbital debris mitigation and compliance with accepted best practices backed by transparency and confidence building measures that ensure all commercial players freedom of access to space.
A final regulatory issue involves spectrum. We believe the U.S. should avoid disrupting globally harmonized spectrum bands, including the Ka-bands, for future global satellite systems. This is a common sense recommendation that will help ensure the prosperity of future space commerce.
The last element I'd like to discuss is advocacy—built hopefully on a bipartisan national consensus about the need for U.S. international commercial space leadership. While government agencies can't close the deal for our companies selling satellites and space systems to foreign customers, they play a critical role in promoting and advocating for our commercial space companies. The Commerce Department's International Trade Administration can play a particularly important role in this regard.
The Commerce Department along with the State Department can also have a role in educating and training U.S. space industrial base suppliers and their customers on space export control reform changes. We want our companies to know with confidence that when they are ready to sell a product abroad, there will be no yellow or red lights around the bend.
This is a good place to wrap up with one final thought. I recognize that taken individually, all of these recommendations seem undramatic. To an extent they are. But commercial space success is not defined by dramatic major events like planting a flag on the moon. Commercial success is more like baseball – a game where home runs get attention, but teams that win consistently do it with singles, doubles and good fielding. For too long, our nation has acted as if commercial space was a "nice to do" activity in addition to bold civil and military space programs. In this century, the biggest space opportunity for our nation may be commercial – and, as demonstrated by the International Space Station program – these commercial systems may also enable the government to do more with fewer expenditures.
Clearly, expanded commercial space activities are good for the bottom lines of the many great companies that attend this important symposium. But to the extent we have higher aspirations, including seeing astronauts conducting exploratory missions on Mars as soon as two decades from now, we need to propel our industry forward to that goal.
As much as government space programs fueled our early space achievements—with strong industry support—we're going to be counting on the commercial space sector to help pave our way to the red planet and beyond. The strategy I've outlined today will strengthen the entire space industrial base, and hasten the day when we watch this long-held ambition of the space community come to pass.
I thank you for your attention and for your support of the dedicated men and women who work for America's aerospace industry. It is a privilege to be with you today.
Aeronautics – the science of flight – is a cornerstone of economic prosperity and is critical to maintaining our national security and defense. Today's aviation industry owes its successes to U.S.-led research and development efforts to improve safety, reliability, and efficiency of air travel. U.S. leadership in aerospace – specifically in aeronautics – has established the United States as the destination for students from around the world who seek to learn from the world's leading authorities in this field. The failure to make long-term investments in aeronautics R&D could eventually lead to the loss of our preeminence in aviation and significant detrimental impacts to our economy, workforce, and educational system.
Today's world is complex, dynamic and uncertain. In this environment, AIA is pleased to offer a forum May 2-5, 2016, focused on the implementation of effective product support initiatives.
There's been a lot of talk on the campaign trail about how to grow the economy, and help create good middle class jobs. One essential step that will help unleash the potential of American companies and workers is to expand markets by selling our products abroad, where 70 percent of the world's purchasing power is located.
The Aerospace States Association and the Aerospace Industries Association have signed a historic agreement to grow high paying jobs, increase economic development and inspire America's youth to join the aerospace workforce of the future.
Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace States Association (ASA) an association of state Lt. Governors and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) representing aerospace manufacturers have signed a historic agreement to grow high paying jobs, increase economic development and inspire America's youth to join the aerospace workforce of the future.
ASA Chair, Alabama Lt. Governor Kay Ivey said "America's aerospace industry is our nation's and our states' lifeblood. It provides for national security, provides transportation for our economy, and provides the ability to explore space, the next frontier. The aerospace industry grows our state economies, employs more than one million high-paying jobs, and is a source of innovation and inspiration for our youth to enter our STEM workforce."
"Our agreement with ASA complements AIA's efforts at the national level and helps us expand our reach into individual states and regions," said AIA President and CEO David F. Melcher. "We look forward to working with state elected officials and listening to their concerns to ensure we have the infrastructure and political support needed to grow our industry. We have had engagements with state officials through our workforce education summits and at international airshows; working with ASA allows us to broaden our efforts and increase our visibility with all of ASA's members."
What a collaboration between AIA and ASA will do for American aerospace and defense:
AIA and ASA will be collaborating closely at events like AIA's Supplier Management Council meetings in Cincinnati, Fort Worth and Tucson later this year, as well as ASA State chapter events. These meetings will provide opportunities for industry and state and regional officials to interact and better understand how to support each other's activities to our mutual benefit. In addition, AIA's Team American Rocketry Challenge and ASA's Real World Design Challenge programs are collaborating to promote and provide resources for the events this year and find ways to further the collaboration in the future.
Team America Rocketry Challenge inspires students through hands-on aerospace engineering
Arlington, Va. - Nearly 5,000 students across the country are gearing up for the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), the world's largest rocketry competition. 789 teams of secondary school students from all backgrounds are vying for 100 coveted spots in the TARC national finals held on Saturday, May 14, outside of Washington, D.C.
"Over its 13-year history, TARC has emerged as one of the aerospace industry's premier youth outreach and education programs," said AIA President and CEO, David F. Melcher. "We believe the skills students discover and build while participating in this program will propel them to pursue education and careers in STEM fields, specifically in the aerospace industry."
To encourage ingenuity, every year participants are tasked with new and different design and flight parameters that are structured to emulate the aerospace industry's design, engineering, and testing processes. This year, teams must place eggs perpendicularly to each other in the body of the rocket, requiring a wider rocket body and innovative egg protection solutions. The rocket must fly to 850 feet and return to Earth safely with its payload intact. The entire flight must last between 44 and 46 seconds.
The competition's scoring parameters reflect its difficulty, with points given as deductions from the perfect flight. Rockets that fly exactly to the requirements receive perfect scores of zero. However, even a perfect flight is automatically disqualified if one of its egg payloads is cracked upon landing.
Sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the National Association of Rocketry and more than 20 industry partners, the contest aims to increase student engagement with STEM. This year's competition has attracted an especially diverse array of participants, including 43 all-girl teams, several teams who are using 3D printers to fabricate their rockets and a team of varsity athletes. The groups span the country, representing Alaska, the U.S. Virgin Islands and one school from Wisconsin where the team baked and sold 9,000 muffins to fund their rocketry program.
The nation's top 100 teams will compete at the TARC National Finals for prizes and scholarships totaling more than $100,000. The winning team will travel to the Farnborough International Air Show in London, courtesy of the Raytheon Company, to compete in the International Rocketry Challenge with teams from France, the United Kingdom and Japan.
For more information about the Team America Rocketry Challenge, please visit www.rocketcontest.org. TARC is made possible by the generous support of our industry sponsors listed below. If you represent a company or organization interested in becoming a TARC sponsor or partner, please contact us at email@example.com.
Diamond Sponsor: The Raytheon Company
Platinum Sponsors: Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales USA, Inc.
Gold Sponsors: The Boeing Company, Elbit Systems of America
Silver Sponsors: Accenture, Aurora Flight Sciences, Click Bond, Inc., Computer Sciences Corporation, Cubic Corporation, Embraer Aircraft Holding, Inc., General Electric Aviation, Harris Corporation, Honeywell Aerospace, Iron Mountain, Kaman Aerospace Corporation, L3 Communications Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins, Rolls Royce North America, Inc., Woodward Inc.
Remarks by David F. Melcher, President & CEO Aerospace Industries Association
Administrator Bolden, Associate Administrator Shin, thank you for the opportunity to be here today and good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. As the representative of the Aerospace Industries Association, founded in 1919 by aviation pioneers Orville Wright and Glenn Curtiss, I'm delighted to join you in applauding NASA's new ten year plan to significantly boost national investments in cutting edge aeronautics research. As the Administrator just said, this is a big deal!
Make no mistake about it. When it comes to examples of public investments that set the gold standard for performance and public benefit, NASA's aeronautics research tops the list.
It makes tremendous sense to continue making smart strategic investments through NASA in aviation safety and mobility, energy efficiency and advanced propulsion system transformation. This budget and the actions NASA will take in support of it will make our country better. We have a tremendous aviation infrastructure today, but demand for aviation services continues to grow. One estimate out there states there will be a near doubling of air passengers between now and 2034, from 3.2 billion passengers to 7 billion worldwide. We need to use NASA, as we have throughout the first century of flight and beyond, not only to push the envelope, but also to keep American industry at the forefront of aeronautics technology development.
Indeed, throughout NASA's history, and that of its predecessor organization founded 101 years ago—the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics—the government has performed a vital role in advancing progress on complex aeronautics issues. Issues such as wind shear, icing, adding electronic controls to cockpits, and bringing unmanned aircraft systems into the airspace. You name it, NASA was and is at the forefront of thinking of better ways to conquer the most problematic issues of flight.
This research, done with active support and financial commitment from industry, has benefitted the entire aviation community and the flying public, all the people we see nearby us getting ready to board their flights here at Reagan National today.
Through NASA's exciting "New Aviation Horizons," initiative, the agency that pioneered hypersonic flight will help us aim at revolutionary, not evolutionary, changes in the way that people fly around the world. One of our association's great member companies, Boeing, has a terrific advertisement playing in its centennial year that envisions passengers in the year 2116 circumnavigating the globe in two hours. With a strong commitment to this research going forward, I think it's only a question of how soon, rather than if, this bold vision will be achieved. I would also add my congratulations to Lockheed Martin and GE Aviation for the contract announcement unveiled in the Administrator's remarks, to do all this with less sonic booms!
NASA's 10-year American Aviation Plan will build upon the great work Administrator Bolden and Associate Administrator Shin have done in focusing the agency's research on projects that ensure we maintain U.S. aerospace leadership and will create new opportunities in aviation. Rest assured, our aircraft manufacturers understand and will support these research thrusts, thus giving them additional momentum.
In closing, I'd like to point out the larger purpose for which we gather. Budgets are the fine print of our daily lives that turn the dreams of a better world tomorrow into reality. Our shared dream is to help create a world that is more prosperous and peaceful, where people-to-people interchange across continents is more common place. And this fine print, once put into operation in the skies above, will help get us there. Mr. Administrator, thank you again for the tremendous opportunity to be here today to add industry's support to this visionary effort.
Explores issues associated with trade, including Export Import Bank financing, foreign military sales, trade agreements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership and national export strategies in order to achieve a level playing field for the aerospace and defense industry. AIA contact: Kathryn Verona, Director, Legislative Affairs.
Deals with NASA/NOAA budgets, the annual Rockets on the Hill reception, issues associated with military space launch capabilities and coordinating AIA member lobbying efforts. This team also coordinates educational briefings on Capitol Hill. AIA contact: Kristen Moore, Director, Legislative Affairs.
Responsible for monitoring legislative activity impacting the commercial and general aviation industries and coordinating lobbying and advocacy efforts with members and oversight committees responsible for the civil aviation sector. Deals particularly with FAA budgets and challenges facing the civil aviation industry, including implementation of NextGen airspace modernization, new equipment certification and UAS integration. AIA contact: Rich Efford, Assistant Vice President, Legislative Affairs.
Responsible for monitoring and addressing procurement and defense-related legislative issues, advising the NSP division and others on developments in defense budget, and procurement-related legislation, and coordinating procurement-related legislative policy positions among member companies. AIA contact: Rich Efford, Assistant Vice President, Legislative Affairs.
The SMC Regulatory & Compliance committee is responsible for addressing key issues in the A&D supply chain to increase the operational and regulatory efficiency between the primes/OEMs and suppliers. This committee is also an information sharing and learning environment where companies can leverage best practices and obtain working knowledge of requirements that flow through the A&D supply chain. AIA contact: Dan Olmes, Director, Supplier Management Council & Membership.
The SMC Planning & Outreach committee is responsible for making recommendations for future SMC conferences (e.g. speakers, panels, breakout sessions, hosts, etc.), member engagement, and new member outreach and strategy. This committee will be the "voice of the SMC" and will act as a conduit between the SMC membership and the SMC ExCom and AIA. This committee will also support AIA's legislative team in developing and implementing local and national advocacy programs/initiatives for SMC. AIA contact: Dan Olmes, Director, Supplier Management Council & Membership.
The AIA Standards Governance Board (SGB) is chartered to provide oversight and management of the AIA Standards Program. The SGB has three primary roles in managing the standards program of AIA: 1) development of strategies to enable the AIA standards program to respond to the standardization needs of the aerospace industry, 2) oversight and management of the health and performance of the AIA standards activities, and 3) responding to direction from the AIA Board of Governors and the AIA Technical Operations Council, and input from other AIA entities in areas dealing with standards or standards-related products and services. AIA contact: Chris Carnahan, Director, Standardization.
The principal objective of the BTIC is to ensure the availability of the necessary standards to enhance interoperability and reduce the cost and complexity of applying business technology throughout the aerospace industry and its customers. The BTIC shall be responsible for the identification, development (when necessary), maintenance, and promotion of suitable open international, national or industry interoperability standards and supporting guidelines, and developing recommendations to promote their adoption, under the direction and approval of the BTC and SMC. The BTIC shall also maintain contact with other AIA councils, committees, working groups, and outside agencies, as appropriate, and carry on such other activities as may be required on subjects of a broad policy nature within the BTIC's area of responsibility. AIA contact: AIA contact: Rusty Rentsch, Assistant Vice President, Technical Operations & Workforce.
Responsible for establishing industry-wide near-term and long-range cyber security planning and policy to meet information protection requirements. Committee member profile includes cyber security executives. AIA contact: Jason Timm, Director, Defense Policy.
Responsible for defense policy, budget, resources, and strategy. Council member profile includes senior Washington Operations representatives, strategy/policy and communications executives. AIA contact: John Luddy, Vice President, National Security Policy.
Formerly known as the Procurement Techniques Committee, the CMC is responsible for providing in-depth analysis on impact to industry stemming from proposed FAR/DFARS rules changes, legislative proposals and government internally issued guidance, instructions and policies. AIA contact: Ronald J. Youngs, Assistant Vice President, Acquisition Policy.
Formerly known as the Procurement and Finance Executive Committee, the APC is the leadership entity responsible for implementation of acquisition related goals stemming from the AIA strategic plan. The Council is comprised of the senior corporate contracts Vice Presidents of the major Executive Committee companies and is the primary coordination point for initial input development of acquisition topics for executive-level meetings with DOD. AIA contact: Ronald J. Youngs, Assistant Vice President, Acquisition Policy.
Responsible for developing and promoting adoption of regulatory, policy, and advocacy recommendations to the U.S. government and Congress in support of a 21st Century Space Trade Strategy. AIA contact: Dak Hardwick, Assistant Vice President for International Affairs.
Lisa Felipe is Manager of Corporate Events and Membership at Aerospace Industries Association. She has over ten years of experience working in the event industry, specializing in logistical coordination and talent management. As a member of the Corporate Events team, she is involved in the planning, logistics, and execution of AIA meetings and events and collaborates with other internal departments to ensure that every event is a success.
Prior to joining AIA, Lisa worked at Leading Authorities Inc., a prominent speakers bureau, where she worked closely with association and corporate clients to create high-impact meetings and events. As an event manager, she was responsible for providing end-to-end logistical coordination for speaking engagements with renowned speakers in politics, business, media and everyday life.
Lisa received a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from New York University.
Civil Aviation Leadership Council (CALC) is responsible for providing CEO-level guidance to AIAs Executive Committee and strategic direction to AIAs Civil Aviation Committee on common, noncompetitive civil aviation matters, both domestic and international. The Council provides broad policy guidance and direction to AIA plans and actions designed to grow and protect the civil aviation manufacturing industry and to ensure access to a fair and open international market for U.S. aviation products. AIA contact: Ali Bahrami, Vice President, Civil Aviation.
Job Description:
AIA's space systems division is looking for a motivated and dynamic intern to assist in the formation of space advocacy products such as:
This is a great opportunity to witness and inform government leaders engaged in the formulation of space policies and budgets, while gaining an industry-wide perspective on space programs and activities.
The space intern will assist the division in advancing AIA's strategic space advocacy goals by conducting research, writing reports, and recording notes on space-related hearings and events.
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
About AIA:
The Aerospace Industries Association, founded in 1919 only a few years after the birth of flight, is the premier trade association representing the nation's major aerospace and defense manufacturers.
Today, more than 300 major aerospace and defense companies and their suppliers are members of the association, embodying every high-technology manufacturing segment of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry from commercial aviation and avionics, to manned and unmanned defense systems, to space technologies and satellite communications.
About AIA's Space Division:
Members of AIA's Space Council make the spacecraft, launch vehicles, sensors, and ground support systems employed by NASA, NOAA, the Department of Defense, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and other civil, military and intelligence space organizations.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume to Ashley Bander, Director, Space Systems. Additional information on AIA internships can be found here.
AIA is making a big splash at the Singapore Airshow this week. The push is all about international trade with our close friends and allies in the Asia Pacific Region and supporting the ratification and implementation of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Singapore — The Aerospace Industries Association participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the U.S. International Pavilion at the Singapore Airshow today as a symbolic gesture signifying the commitment of the U.S. Aerospace and Defense industry to increasing international trade and partnerships with America's friends and allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Here at the Singapore Airshow, we are working with our foreign partners and allies to strengthen freedom's cause and enhance the relationships that makes our world more prosperous, innovative and secure," said AIA's Chief Operating Officer Bob Durbin. "National economies throughout the Pacific, including the United States, will be given an additional boost with the ratification of the Trans Pacific Partnership, which will increase international trade here substantially, benefitting consumers and workers alike."
The signatory countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a trade pact for the 21st Century – represent the destination and source of nearly 40 percent of U.S. exports and imports. The U.S. Aerospace and Defense industry stands to benefit as increased international trade and travel leads directly to increased demand for our industry's products and services.
"Increasing global competition for market share forces American exporters and our government partners to be forward leaning, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region," Durbin added. "It's important that we use every tool at our disposal to enhance trade and promote closer ties with our friends and allies around the world. Our industry looks forward to facilitating broader trade to the substantial benefit of all sectors of the U.S. economy."
Trade in the Pacific region is particularly important to the U.S. Aerospace and Defense industry, as demonstrated by the commitment of companies to participating in the upcoming Singapore Airshow. According to U.S. International Pavilion organizer Kallman Worldwide, Inc., more than 140 American companies are exhibiting at Singapore, ranging from publicly traded stalwarts to privately held small and medium enterprises. On Monday, February 15, AIA and Kallman Worldwide signed a Memorandum of Agreement to develop greater collaboration to extend American global leadership in aerospace and defense.
SINGAPORE — Against the backdrop of a newly forged regional trade policy, expanding Pacific defense and security relationships, and the 50th anniversary this year of formalized diplomatic relations between the United States and Singapore, American government officials and business executives meeting before the start of the biennial airshow here expressed their shared commitment to promote a level playing field for greater U.S. aerospace and defense industry investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
The biennial Singapore Airshow, Asia's largest, opens Tuesday, February 16, at the Changi Exhibition Centre. The United States will be the show's largest international exhibitor, with more than 140 exhibitors and nearly 30 percent of the show's total 40,000 sqm of indoor exhibit space.
In a pre-show briefing held in the operations center that will support the presence of American military aircraft on display during the show — including the F-16, KC-130J, P-8 and MV-22 — U.S. Ambassador Kirk Wagar, Defense Security Cooperation Agency Director, V. Adm. Joseph Rixey, USN, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis, Marcus Jadotte, presented a cross-section of U.S. diplomatic, defense and commercial interests in the region, and discussed the implications for U.S. industry at the Singapore Airshow.
Coming on the heels of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 12-nation Pacific Rim pact signed this past October, their message emphasized opportunities to strengthen relationships, grow exports, improve competitiveness and — by their active participation in the event — demonstrate America's commitment to invest in the region.
"I am pleased to lead the International Trade Administration delegation to the Singapore Airshow. The airshow provides an unmatched opportunity to form partnerships between U.S. companies and governments across the dynamic Asia-Pacific region," said Marcus Jadotte, Assistant Secretary of Commerce at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA). "Once enacted, the Trans-Pacific Partnership will lead to an overall increase in economic activity and trade for this region, which will increase demand for aviation products. Singapore is consistently a top market for U.S. aerospace parts, averaging more than $5.7 billion in parts imports from the United States between 2005 and 2014."
In recognition of the critical opportunity international airshows represent to support America's national objectives in trade, international partnerships and security cooperation, today the Aerospace Industries Association and Kallman Worldwide signed a Memorandum of Agreement to enhance coordination and cooperation between U.S. industry and government and to strengthen America's global aerospace and defense competitiveness.
"This event marks a continuation of AIA's efforts to productively work in public-private partnerships with the U.S. government and with groups like Kallman Worldwide to expand our industry's ability to promote economic growth, technological innovation and our nation's long-term security interests," said AIA Chief Operating Officer LTG (Ret.) Robert E. Durbin. "We're proud to enter into this agreement and firmly believe it will help us as we build the cooperative ties that are so important to the peace, stability, and prosperity of this region."
AIA and Kallman agreed to work together to enhance access and opportunity for small and medium-sized U.S. aerospace and defense companies, encourage greater business-to-business engagement among the companies and their global customers and suppliers, elevate the conversation between U.S. industry and government to strengthen America's global aerospace and defense competitiveness, and unite U.S. industry to extend America's global leadership in aerospace and defense.
"As the designated U.S. Representative and organizer of the U.S. presence at the Singapore Airshow since 2008, Kallman Worldwide has a unique privilege to help U.S. aerospace and defense suppliers develop market opportunities and business relationships," said company President and CEO, Tom Kallman. "We're proud to sign this MoA and expand the scope of our longstanding airshow relationship with AIA to better serve the year-round, worldwide interests of America's aerospace and defense companies."
About ITA
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,200 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 75 markets worldwide. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov.
About AIA
Founded in 1919 shortly after the birth of flight, the Aerospace Industries Association is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, homeland and cybersecurity systems, materiel and related components, equipment services and information technology.
About Kallman Worldwide, Inc.
Export with purpose. Exhibit with confidence. Kallman Worldwide is an export marketing advocate focused on helping the United States of America and its leading businesses capitalize on international trade shows and events to grow their share of global markets. Our flagship U.S. International Pavilion programs cover all the details of creating and presenting a professional business environment to buyers, enabling exhibitors, clients and partners to make the most of their event opportunities, cultivate meaningful global business relationships and account for a measurable return on their export marketing investment.
Since 1963, Kallman has helped more than 10,000 companies, associations and government agencies stand out at nearly 1,000 industry and professional events in 46 countries. For more information visit www.kallman.com
Arlington, Va. — AIA believes that the President's Fiscal Year 2017 budget request does not provide the funding we need to ensure safe air transportation, make America more secure, promote space exploration, and ensure a vibrant and innovative industrial base. If this budget is adopted, we will fail to address the serious mismatch between our resources and the new threats and challenges our nation faces today.
With respect to national security, we must respond to the rise of ISIS terrorism, Russian aggression on NATO's doorstep, provocative moves by Iran and North Korea and an increasingly powerful China. Similarly, we must address the challenges of a very busy national airspace system that will become even more crowded as more and more Unmanned Aircraft Systems enter our skies. Critical investments are needed to avoid continued U.S. reliance on Russian transportation to the International Space Station and a potential gap in essential satellite weather forecasting capabilities.
The Administration has proposed a budget for Fiscal Year 2017 that AIA believes is insufficient to adequately address national priorities in the following areas:
Federal budgets are decisions by elected officials to ensure that adequate resources are applied to our nation's pressing priorities. This budget request does not meet that requirement. As the voice of the American aerospace and defense industry, we call on Congress and the Administration to work together to produce a robust, balanced and stable budget that promotes economic growth, supports our national security and allows for a healthy, efficient and innovative industrial base.
Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace Industries Association welcomes the ambitious new CO2 emissions standard for commercial airplanes proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection February 8, 2016, in Montreal, Canada. The agreement on the ICAO "CO2 Standard" is the result of work by a task force of experts from governments and observers and will be endorsed by the ICAO Council later this year.
"This is a historic accomplishment resulting from six years of committed effort by manufacturers, operators, governments and non-governmental organizations across the globe," said AIA President and CEO David F. Melcher. "This agreement will further solidify our strong record of fuel efficiency and focus on the environment and we urge full adoption by the U.S. government."
"The goal of this certification standard is to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation by encouraging the integration of fuel efficient technologies into aircraft design and development, and is part of a broader set of actions aimed at tackling aviation's climate change impact," said AIA Director of Environmental Policy Leslie Riegle. "This includes improvements in flight operations, deployment of biofuels and the reduction of noise and other emissions, together with the development of a global market-based measure for aviation to be agreed at the ICAO General Assembly in October 2016."
The new standard will apply to all new civil aircraft designs launched after 2020, with a three-year delay for aircraft with fewer than 20 seats; and to in-production aircraft from 2023 onwards. There would be a production cut-off for noncompliant aircraft in 2028. The agreement guarantees that manufacturers will continue to design and develop aircraft that will meet this ambitious standard in the future.
"This builds on aviation's long and consistent track record of continuous improvements in fuel efficiency," Melcher said. "For example, today's aircraft are more than 70 percent more efficient than the industry's first commercial jets."
After final agreement at the ICAO Council meeting in fall of 2016, the U.S. government will have to finalize its rulemaking on these emissions. The agreement at ICAO should be adopted in its entirety by the United States in order to avoid introducing market distortions across the global industry.
New aircraft technologies are one important pillar of an assortment of measures that the aerospace industry and governments are using to reduce aviation CO2 emissions. This agreement will support ongoing industry commitments including a 1.5 percent annual fleet fuel efficiency improvement, carbon neutral growth from 2020 and halving CO2 emissions relative to 2005 by 2050.
# # #
The International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association (ICCAIA) welcomes the new ambitious CO2 emissions standard for commercial airplanes proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) on the 8th February 2016 in Montreal, Canada.
The International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Association (ICCAIA) welcomes the new ambitious CO2 emissions standard for commercial airplanes proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) on the 8th February 2016 in Montreal, Canada. The agreement on the ICAO "CO2 Standard" is the result of work by a task force of experts from governments and observers and will be endorsed by the ICAO Council later this year.
The aim of this certification standard is to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation by encouraging the integration of fuel efficient technologies into aircraft design and development, and is part of a broader set of actions aimed at tackling aviation's climate change impact. This includes improvements in flight operations, deployment of biofuels and the reduction of noise and other emissions, together with the development of a global market based measure for aviation to be agreed at the ICAO General Assembly in October 2016.
"This is a significant step for the global aviation community and our collective climate responsibility," said International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations Chairman David F. Melcher. "This also is certainly the right thing to do for our industry, our customers and the global community."
The agreement marks more than six years of committed and intense effort by our international community. The new standard will apply to all new civil aircraft designs launched after 2020, with a three-year delay for aircraft with fewer than 20 seats, and to in-production aircraft from 2023 onwards. The agreement guarantees that manufacturers will continue to design and develop aircraft that will meet this ambitious standard in the future.
"This builds on aviation's long and consistent track record of continuous improvements in fuel efficiency. For example, today's aircraft are more than 70 percent more efficient than the industry's first commercial jets." continued Melcher.
New aircraft technologies are one important pillar of a basket of measures that the aerospace industry and governments are using to reduce aviation CO2 emissions. This agreement will support ongoing industry commitments: including a 1.5 percent annual fleet fuel efficiency improvement, carbon neutral growth from 2020, halving CO2 emissions by 2050 relative to 2005.
# # #
Ali Bahrami, AIA's VP of Civil Aviation, was a featured panelist at the K&L Gates, "Aviation's Next Frontier – UAS Outlook for 2016" conference.
Since the Aerospace Industry Association's 2013 report on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned flight technology and platforms have continued to evolve in new and innovative ways. Small start-ups to major global corporations are establishing UAS-based aviation services and solutions, and there is continued growth projected for military UAS flights and orders.
A cultural shift driven by consumer and commercial use is underway as well. Due to the increasing availability of low-cost unmanned systems and their growing acceptance for uses such as videography, most consumers are now aware of unmanned aircraft and their basic capabilities – beyond their initial adoption as a recreational platform. Today, unmanned aircraft have also earned acceptance as a tool for the creative arts, and as vehicles of personal expression. As a result, negative perceptions are changing.
The Executive Report is an AIA quarterly publication which provides news and information about our association membership, AIA initiatives and events, and other information from around the industry.
Featured this quarter in the Executive Report:
President's Message: 2016: A Year for Innovation
Q & A With incoming AIA Chairman Marillyn Hewson, Chairman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation
Board of Governors Fall Meeting Recap
TARC honored with Mervin K. Strickler Award
Aerospace Innovation
The AIA Powerplant Indications Task Team was formed July 2001 in response to the FAA draft Harmonization Terms of Reference 25.1305. The team includes representation from several airframe manufacturers, engine manufacturers and regulatory agencies. The team has provided a series of recommendations for revsions of provisions in the Federal Aviation Regulations Certification Specifications. This report summarizes the team's activities.
Statement by Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO David F. Melcher in support of Congressional passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace Industries Association urges Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership and increase international trade substantially in the Pacific Rim region. Nearly 40 percent of U.S. exports and imports are made with the countries participating in this agreement.
Trade in the Pacific region is particularly important to the U.S. Aerospace and Defense industry, as demonstrated by the commitment of companies to participating in the upcoming Singapore Airshow. According to American organizer Kallman Worldwide, Inc., in 2014 the U.S. International Pavilion at the Singapore Airshow was the largest ever. This year more than 125 American companies are exhibiting at Singapore, ranging from publicly traded stalwarts to privately held small and medium enterprises. That presence is a strong indicator of how important the region is to the U.S. aviation and aerospace business, and how interested countries in the region are to work with U.S. companies to further their security and economic interests.
With federal budgets still constrained by austerity measures imposed under the Budget Control Act of 2010, international trade is more critical than ever to the U.S. Aerospace and Defense industry. We strongly urge Congress to pass this important tool for expanding trade in a region that is rapidly growing in importance to our country.
To: Dec. 9, 2016
To: Nov. 17, 2016
To: Sept. 23, 2016
To: Sept. 22, 2016
Hosted by Raytheon Company
To: Sept. 15, 2016
For information please contact Chantal Joos de ter Beerst at email@example.com
To: Sept. 16, 2016
Statement by Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO David F. Melcher on the House voting to extend the R&D Tax Credit permanently.
Arlington, Va. — AIA welcomes the House vote to permanently extend the research and development tax credit which lapsed at the end of 2014. It provides an important incentive during these times of fiscal austerity for thousands of companies to make long-term investments in innovation and is critical to creating economic growth. Particularly at a time when DOD is actively seeking new sources of innovation, it's imperative that we do everything in our power to incentivize companies in every sector to invest in innovative ideas and solutions.
This credit supports companies that invest working capital in basic research and in applied research aimed at the creation or improvement of products. More than 70 percent of the credit is used to fund the salaries of R&D workers who hold the kinds of high-quality jobs that fuel our national economy, with the remainder applied to investment in new plant and equipment.
Currently, the U.S. significantly trails other leading countries in providing incentives for companies to conduct research and development. Making this critical tool for spurring investment and innovation permanent helps maintain the American edge in innovation and provides companies with the certainty they need for long range planning. The House is to be congratulated for voting to ensure American companies can rely on this credit going forward and we encourage the Senate to pass the bill as soon as possible.
Arlington, Va. – The aerospace and defense industry had a strong year in 2015, achieving a number of its top priorities. Despite a lengthy delay, the Export-Import Bank of the United States was reauthorized for four years; significant relief from the budget caps imposed under the Budget Control Act of 2011 was achieved for 2016 and 2017 with passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015; and there are hopeful signs that a year-long omnibus with an extension of the R&D Tax Credit will pass shortly.
"2015 was a year that saw great progress on a number of initiatives for the aerospace and defense industry," said AIA President and CEO Dave Melcher. "From Ex-Im to the budget deal, we achieved many of our goals, but there's still a lot of work to do."
Ex-Im Bank supports thousands of jobs associated with aircraft, satellite and launch vehicle sales. However, until President Obama and the Senate appoint and confirm a quorum of Directors to the Bank's Board, it will be unable to process transactions over $10 million. And while the budget deal promises relief from BCA caps, until the omnibus is passed, the threat of a year-long continuing resolution is very real.
Melcher also highlighted AIA's advocacy objectives for 2016, including achieving robust, balanced and stable U.S. defense spending; advancing thoughtful technology investment to beef up home-grown space capabilities and continuing the development of vital weather satellites; and effectively implementing the NextGen air transportation system program and safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace.
Melcher said, "Our aerospace and defense industry is essential to the national security and economic well being of this country, and we need to continue making progress in 2016. All of these investments help make America stronger, safer and more economically robust."
To: July 22, 2016
To: July 16, 2016
For information on AIA's U.S. Industry Reception and to register, please visit: http://www.cvent.com/d/pfq46q
To: June 15, 2016
Hosted by Lockheed Martin Corporation
For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.cvent.com/d/mfq408
Message from AIA President and CEO David F. Melcher:
Throughout my career, I've been privileged to work in organizations with well-defined cultures such as the U.S. Army, Office of Management and Budget, ITT and Exelis. In all of these groups, I've seen people from all levels work hard to align the organization's vision, mission and values with bold strategic goals that are executable and achievable. As noted academic James Q. Wilson wrote about such cultures, "People did not always have to be told what to do; they knew what to do, and what is more important, wanted to do it well."
This is the culture I've found at AIA. And I'm pleased that the AIA team has risen to the challenge of rapidly developing a strategic plan for 2016 that ties our unique capabilities and expertise to five strategic goals that will best advance the interests of the aerospace and defense industry and our nation. Further, we've tied AIA's budgetary planning to our strategic planning, to ensure that we adequately resource the critical activities that will help us best achieve our objectives. We presented the strategic plan and budget at the Board of Governors meeting in San Diego in November, at which our Executive Committee approved our 2016 game plan.
AIA's Vision, Mission and Values Statements
For the 2016 Strategic Plan, with tremendous staff input and thoughtful advice of member companies, we've updated AIA's vision, mission and values statements to reflect the industry's current challenges and opportunities and the unique lane in which our association operates. Our vision statement is: "AIA shapes the American aerospace and defense industry's future. We will unite our member companies to ensure safe air transportation systems, make America more secure, extend the horizons of exploration, drive innovation and ensure a vibrant industrial base." Flowing from that vision is a clear sense of our mission: "The Aerospace Industries Association is the collective voice of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry. We advocate for policies and responsible budgets that keep our country strong, bolster our capacity to innovate and spur our economic growth." And serving as the bedrock foundation of our activities will be three core values. Everything we do and say will be done with Credibility, Integrity and Responsibility. I can assure you we will fight hard to win every battle for our industry's and nation's interest that loom ahead but we will do so never cutting corners.
Strategic Goals for 2016
Our five strategic goals for 2016 define what AIA seeks to achieve both for our members and the nation, but also in the case of the last goal for ourselves as a vital American organization. These goals, which the Board of Governors approved in November, do not mark a significant departure from AIA's past and recent advocacy:
Our last proposed goal of being the community of choice for aerospace and defense stakeholders was suggested with the idea that we will engage with a wider range of stakeholders when issues vital to our industry are on the table. We believe that if other groups and organizations recognize that AIA is a strong and worthwhile partner for policy advocacy, our collective voice can be much more impactful. Consistent with this view, we've already reached out to the think tank community, veterans' advocates, proponents of increased investment in domestic research, and other defense industries associations to make common cause on issues critical to our industry.
Parallel with our strategic planning process, we used AIA's priorities as the baseline for preparing the organization's proposed FY 2016 budget. Each of AIA's divisions justified all future projected expenses for the coming year based on the resources they determined are needed to achieve each of their objectives. We then reviewed the budget submittals to figure out if we have the right number of people and types of expertise needed to achieve these objectives, which we do. Additionally, we've continued to review our councils, committees and working groups and tie each of them back to our strategic priorities. As a result of this review we have already reduced their numbers from 96 to 84 and may reduce them further if there isn't a clear linkage to the strategic goals stated earlier.
The result of this strategy and budget review is that AIA has a clear sense of direction entering what appears to be a very challenging period for our industry. I'm gratified the entire AIA team has embraced the charge to lean forward, and think smartly about our essential tasks.
The Global Aerospace Summit, March 7-8, 2016, is an exclusive, invitation only cross-industry forum for C-level executives, senior decision makers and government officials involved in the aerospace, aviation, defence and space industries. AIA President and CEO Dave Melcher will be attending and participating on a panel.
The Global Aerospace Summit is part of the Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The Summit is an invitation-only event for C-level executives, senior decision makers, government and military officials involved in the aerospace, aviation, defence and space industry sectors. With attendance capped at 1,000 attendees, the Summit is an exclusive forum that allows these industry leaders to engage in forward-looking, strategic debate addressing the key challenges facing their respective industries and the potential solutions.
The next edition will be held on 07 - 08 March 2016 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Abu Dhabi, UAE under the overarching theme of innovation. The programme will examine new ways of building aircraft, launch systems and satellites, innovative business strategies and financing, disruptive technologies, using new materials and the ground-breaking applications for which they will be used. AIA President and CEO Dave Melcher will be attending and participating in a panel.
For more information, click here.
To register your interest in attending, click here.
AIA is relieved and delighted that Congress reauthorized the Export-Import Bank of the United States December 3. By reauthorizing the Bank, America is sending a clear signal that we are serious about competing in the global marketplace and will take the necessary steps to ensure American exporters have a level playing field.
Statement by Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO David F. Melcher on reauthorization of the Export Import Bank of the United States.
Arlington, Va. — AIA welcomes last night's passage of a five-year transportation bill – this is the first time in 17 years that the House and Senate have come together to produce a transportation bill of this length and duration and we congratulate them on that accomplishment.
In particular, we are relieved and delighted that the bill served as a vehicle for a four-year reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. The Ex-Im Bank is a valuable tool supporting exports in the aerospace industry – the leading export industry in the U.S. manufacturing sector with a trade surplus of nearly $62 billion. By reauthorizing the Bank, America is sending a clear signal that we are serious about competing in the global marketplace and will take the necessary steps to ensure American exporters have a level playing field.
One last item remains for the Ex-Im Bank to become fully functional again. Currently the bank does not have the required number Directors on their Board to approve any transaction over $10 million. Filling the other seats requires the cooperation of the U.S. Senate and the White House. We urge President Obama and Senate leadership to nominate and confirm new Members to the Ex-Im Board expeditiously.
We applaud the leadership shown by the champions of Ex-Im Bank. Without their tireless work and energy, passage of this bill would not have been possible. We will need their continued support and leadership in future debates impacting the health and global competitiveness of the aerospace industry.
Statement by Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO David F. Melcher calling for full appropriation consistent with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.
Arlington, Va. — AIA calls on Congress to pass an omnibus appropriations bill in early December that would avoid the specter of a year-long continuing resolution. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 provides badly-needed funds and a measure of stability across all government agencies for the next two years. Congress should follow the dictates of the budget deal they negotiated less than two months ago and pass a full-year appropriations bill for fiscal year 2016.
A full year continuing resolution – or one that delays decisions into 2016 – could lock in 2015 funding levels and prevent agencies from executing contracts on new programs. It would inject uncertainty into the budgeting process and prevent both government and industry from making plans and investments to support our longer-term national security and economic objectives.
Military leaders have been sounding the alarm this year about the increasingly chaotic situation in the Middle East and emboldened military actions by Russia, China, Iran and North Korea. Non-defense agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, NOAA, and the U. S. Coast Guard are critical for our nation's public safety, economy, and global stature in science, exploration and aerospace technology. The responsible course of action is for Congress to follow through on the commitment made in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 and pass a full appropriation.
Read AIA's newly approved Strategic Plan for 2016 at the link below.


text:
Inaugural Hot Rod Trucks Show - The First Time Was CharmingWritten by on October 1, 2005 The Inaugural Hot Rod Trucks Show
We dwellers on the left coast of the U.S. sometimes forget there are any bodies of water other than the majestic Pacific Ocean. At the inaugural HotRod Trucks Show, held at the Owensboro Executive Inn Rivermont in Owensboro, Kentucky, July 1-3, 2005, we West Coast cats pleasantly learned otherwise. With the sleepy current of the Ohio River providing an idyllic, rolling backdrop for pristine custom vintage pickups, show participants and spectators had plenty of scenery to drink in. All enjoyed the gentle breeze that blew off the river, as the southeast summer sun shined most of each day. On Friday and Saturday night, live music entertained us. Some celebrants danced in the streets at night; great rock 'n' roll and country music has that sort of effect on folks.
Air Ride Technologies and Army Armstrong, the show's promoters, made sure that some of the tastiest hot rod haulers in the U.S. were on display. Saturday night, the Dirty Dozen awards were presented-how the event's judges were able to select 12 top trucks from the pool of over 200 worthy haulers, we'll never know. Deliberations for the Top 7 awards, totaling $8,000 in prize money, continued until Sunday at high noon. At the appointed hour, master of ceremonies extraordinaire Army Armstrong commanded the microphone and entertained the audience with his southern charm and wit. Shortly thereafter, Air Ride Technologies founder Brett Voelkel announced the seven winners. They were:
|Top Truck - $2500 Cash Prize
Kevin and Susan Traylor
Greenville, VA
'56 {{{Ford}}} F-100
|Best Interior - $500 Cash Prize
Trent and Trish VanArsdalen
Baltimore, OH
'04 {{{Chevrolet Colorado}}}
|Top Classic Truck - $1500 Cash Prize
Marcia and Chad Gorczyca
Dallas, TX
'50 {{{Chevrolet}}} 5 Window
|Best Paint - $500 Cash Prize
Brent Poole
Rockport, IN
'55 Ford F-100
|Top Sport Truck - $1500 Cash Prize
Bob Hilton
Waterloo, Ontario, CANADA
'01 {{{Chevrolet S10}}}
|Best Engine - $500 Cash Prize
Gary Brigham
Kennesaw, GA
'29 Ford Roadster {{{Pickup}}}
|Best Engine - $500 Cash Prize
Gary Brigham
Kennesaw, GA
'29 Ford Roadster Pickup
|Top Truck Builder - $1000 Cash Prize
Chris Smith
Smitty's Custom Automotive
Tiffin, OH
Thanks to all who attended, the hard work by Air Ride Technologies and Army Armstrong Promotions, the show vendors, as well as the Owensboro Executive Inn Rivermont staff, the inaugural show was a huge success. Rest assured, CCT will be back to cover the event next year. After what we saw this year, there's a good chance we'll see you in Owensboro in '06! For information about next year's show, visit www.hotrod trucks-owensboro.com, www.ridetech .com, or call (812) 481-4799.
More Photos From This Article View Slideshow
Vicki and Ray Sivis of Lancaster, KY, found the premier parking spot for their pristine pickup, a '71 Chevy C10....Karson and Konnor Isenberg of Floyds Knobs, IN, own a purple '56 Chevy Stepside with a perfect performance stance.In any hue, '67 Chevy Fleetsides are sweet. Greg Schneider of Jasper, IN, is the current caretaker of a silver-blue C10 that shimmered under the early afternoon sun.Held the weekend before America's birthday, Old Glory was flying high everywhere we looked in Owensboro. Jessica Benner of Radcliff, KY, couldn't have picked a better spot to park her navy blue Corvette LS1-powered '66 Chevy C10.
If this red '70 Chevy Stepside looks familiar, you're probably a loyal CCT subscriber. We featured Gary Donegan's '70 Chevy Stepside in the Mar. '04 issue. The Donegans and their swell C10 dwell in White Bluff, TN.Every element of Kim and Mel Post's '52 Chevy Pro Street pickup was wild, just how Mel likes it. The Posts reside in Muskogee, OK.For an excellent Candy Apple Red paint job on his '55 Ford F-100, Brent Poole of Rockport, IN, picked up a $500 check and a billet trophy. Well done, Mr. Poole!Among the many trick custom features of the Donegan's tasty '70 Chevy truck is a side-opening tailgate.Both Friday and Saturday night, there was live entertainment. The country band Dalton artfully covered the latest top country tunes on Saturday night.A blown 468ci Chevy big-block powers the Post's Pro Street pickup. The mill's reputed to make 1,100 horses. You won't catch us debating that figure; we heard it roar.The Angelles, Jet and Cliff of Lafayette, LA, showed up in their '57 Chevy truck that they call Amen. Amen graced CCT's Feb. '05 issue.
By selecting Smitty's Custom Automotive to construct his '59 Chevy Fleetside, Bill Blewett of Painesville, OH, did the opposite of blowing it. He hit a home run!Maroon is another tricky color to paint a pickup; it can look too muddy or too vintage. The Bowens, David and his wife, of Covington, KY, have a '72 Chevy Fleetside that wears a most appealing shade of maroon.The company that put on the show, Air Ride Technologies, displayed its array of industry- leading air-ride suspension components throughout the entire event.Perhaps you attended the 2005 Detroit Autorama at Cobo Hall. If so, you likely recognize the Lamborghini Ice Blue '29 Ford Model A roadster pickup owned by Janis and Gary Brigham of Kennesaw, GA. The A premiered at the 2005 Autorama. It earned a check for $500 and a billet trophy for Best Engine at the HotRod Trucks Show.Known by vintage custom truck lovers and the pickup's proprietors as The Harley Truck, the Traylors displayed their multiple-award-winning '56 Ford F-100.26. For the entire show, Army Armstrong, the event's promoter, entertained everyone in attendance. A consummate professional with over 30 years of show promotions experience, Army educated and amused us allMarcia and Chad Gorczyca of Dallas, TX, earned the Top Classic Truck billet trophy and $1,500 check for their House of Kolor Midnight Blue Pearl '50 Chevy pickup. Congratulations Gorczycas!
For their awesome '56 Ford F-100 Harley Truck, the Traylors, Kevin and Susan of Greenville, VA, won the Top Truck award. Standing between Air Ride Technologies owners Sharon Voelkel (far left) and Brett Voelkel (far right) are The Harley Truck's owners Kevin and Susan Traylor. Don Jacks, owner of Street Metal Fabrications in Greenville, SC, built The Harley Truck. Well done, Mr. and Mrs. Traylor! And kudos to you too, Mr. Jacks!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Kevin Love tallied 17 points and 16
rebounds in just 28 minutes as the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 111-81
win over the struggling Brooklyn Nets at Target Center.
Kevin Garnett scored the game's first points with a 14-foot jumper, but the
Timberwolves' Corey Brewer responded with a 3-pointer at the other end.
Minnesota never trailed after that.
Kevin Martin scored 17 points for Minnesota, which snapped a two-game losing
skid. Brewer and Nikola Pekovic dropped in 15 points apiece, while Ricky Rubio
went for 12 points and eight assists.
"We had 28 assists and eight turnovers. It was a good win," said Minnesota
coach Rick Adelman. "We needed to get this one before we go on the road and
they went out and got it."
Andray Blatche paced the shorthanded Nets with 16 points off the bench. Joe
Johnson netted 15 points as the lone starter in double figures for Brooklyn,
which has lost four in a row and seven of eight.
"The big thing for this group is we have to (improve) together," said Nets
coach Jason Kidd. "But the actions have to kick in at some point. We're not
doing that on either end."
Deron Williams and Brook Lopez both missed the contest for Brooklyn with ankle
injuries. Lopez missed his third straight while Williams sat for the third
time in four games after playing 13 minutes against Charlotte on Wednesday.
Brooklyn shot just 4-for-19 for 14 points in the first while Minnesota
grabbed nine offensive boards en route to 15 second-chance points. The Wolves
led 30-14 after the first period.
A Rubio jumper at the 6:50 mark of the second pushed Minnesota's lead to
40-20, and Brooklyn hardly threatened after that.
The Wolves led 57-37 at halftime.
Martin came alive in the third quarter, netting 11 points on 4-of-5 from the
floor after shooting just 2-of-11 in the first half.
No starters registered minutes in the fourth as the game was well out of
Minnesota outscored Brooklyn 17-7 in transition ... Love now has 13 double-
doubles in 14 games this season ... Tyshawn Taylor and Alan Anderson scored 13
and 11 points, respectively, for the Nets ... Minnesota will play four of its
next five games on the road, starting with a trip to Houston on Saturday.
The Sports Network


text:
Wedding Dress by Amsale Follow
Idea by Women's Wear Daily Follow
Featured in Amsale Keeps It Classy for Spring 2013 Brides.
wedding dress by Amsale Spring 2013 bridal gowns 1.
Create Account
Add Listing
Plan, book and shop for your wedding with inspiration as your guide. Plus, save photos to your favorites!


text: By Jan Rahn Managing Editor With a lot of background experience in health care building projects—a great asset to start with—Jim LeBrun has taken the helm as chief executive officer of Perkins County Health Services. LeBrun comes to PCHS at a crucial time in the health facility's forward progress. He officially started May 20 and spent his first few days attending a software workshop in Minneapolis with six other PCHS employees, which gave him a chance to become acquainted with Jennifer Baumgartner, Pam Rowley, Genie Bishop, Amber Uehling, Kristi Griffiths and Shannon Schrotberger. The native of Minnesota said he had not been looking for a change, but came to Grant in March to check things out after having been aggressively pursued by a hospital recruiter since the first of the year. At the time he was employed by Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, where he served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Gordon Memorial Health Services in Gordon. That facility includes a critical access hospital, two rural health clinics, long term care nursing home, and assisted living. LeBrun is getting settled into his position and is enthused about several 90-day goals he has set, along with several first-year goals for Perkins County Health Services. "There are a lot of really good things happening here, and there have been for a lot of years," he said. "But we have to become more efficient and effective to survive." He is eager to get to know all of the staff and to become immersed into the community. Topping the list of his goals is the hospital expansion project. LeBrun's past experience will be invaluable. He was one of three team members who designed, built, staffed, and opened Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa, Ariz., which was originally built as a 120-bed acute care hospital with a foot print to add another 120 beds. His experience includes work on diagnostic imaging centers, long term care, remodeling projects of patient rooms, surgery suites, laboratory, radiology, emergency department, physical therapy, home health, and a three-story multi-specialty clinic. "Early in my career I led audits, both operational and financial, in 85 hospitals in 13 states—this was a great experience!" he said. LeBrun said he prefers a small town setting and relates to rural America. He grew up in Elbow Lake in west central Minnesota and graduated from high school in the small town of about 800 people. He said he is familiar with rural life, with agriculture and with fluctuating temperatures. "One of the best things about small towns is that everybody knows everybody,said LeBrun, adding, "One of the down sides of a small town is that everybody knows everybody." His parents owned a dairy farm, raised alfalfa, corn, wheat, barley, oats, sunflowers and beans. As a farm kid, he said he spent many hours on John Deere equipment in a state where summers were hot with 95 percent humidity. Winters were on the other end of the mercury with lots of 20-below days. LeBrun said Norwegian was spoken fluently in five area towns that have since consolidated into one school system. Eighty percent of the residents' last names ended in "son" or "sen," he said. LeBrun attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and accounting. He furthered his education at Ohio State University in Columbus pursuing an executive program in health care financial management. He received a Masters Degree in health administration from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. His wife, Mary, grew up in western North Dakota in a small town known for its German Russian Catholic Church with twin towers. She majored in speech pathology and audiology at the University of North Dakota. The LeBruns have a son, Eric, of Phoenix and two grandchildren. Their daughter, Nicole, is married and also lives in Phoenix. Pretty much everything outdoors is how he describes his hobbies and interests. As avid hockey fans, they have been known to drive nine hours one way to take in a professional game. "We spent four years together at the University of North Dakota supporting the Fighting Sioux Hockey Team," he said. They like to garden and both read a lot. Mary has a love of music. He enjoys hunting upland birds, waterfowl, and elk in Wyoming and Montana. Fishing includes both the summer sport and the winter sport of ice fishing.