The state estimates there are some 70 organizations around Washington created to boost the aerospace industry. Here are some major ones.
Governor’s Aerospace Office
Created by Gov. Chris Gregoire to oversee official aerospace policy.
Mission: “Responsible for coordinating the various state agency efforts to support the state’s aerospace industry, as well as guide the development and implementation of strategies to promote expansion of Washington’s aerospace sector.”
Founded: 2012
Director: Alex Pietsch
Website: None
Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA)
Lobbying group comprised of representatives from Boeing, other aerospace companies, other businesses, community colleges, aviation and airport authorities, some governments.
Mission: “Seeks to represent the needs and concerns of every company in the industry, regardless of size.”
Founded: 2006
Board members: Bill McSherry, Boeing Co.; Matt Yerbic, president and CEO of Aviation Technical Services; Larry Houk, principal of Legacy Group; Linda Lanham, AFA president and executive director; Todd Banks, president of Kenmore Air; David Beyer, president of Everett Community College; Rosemary Brester, president of Hobart Machined Products; Sharon Danitschek, Red Lion Hotels; Star Fischer, Moss Adams; Clare Gallagher, Port of Seattle; Ben Hempstead, Electroimpact; Laura Hopkins, executive director of Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee; Tim Kirk, Toray Composites; Megan Lawrence, Alaska Airlines; Jeff Marcell, CEO of enterpriseSeattle; Dan Mock, Teague; John Monroe, Economic Alliance Snohomish County; Gary Oertli, president of South Seattle Community College; John Theisen, CEO of Orion Aerospace; Robin Toth, Greater Spokane Inc.; Bob Watt, retired, Boeing Co.; Todd Woodard, Spokane International Airport.
Website: www.afa-wa.com
Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA)
The non-profit regional group includes Oregon and Idaho and holds monthly informational meetings and a yearly conference.
Mission: “PNAA promotes the growth of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Industry by assisting members to be globally competitive by providing education, access to business opportunities, information on emerging markets and facilitating development of key relationships.”
Board members: Kevin Steck, EADS Atlantic Composite Solution; Bill King, retired, Washington State Department of Commerce; John Graham, president, Fulcrum Associates; Tom Sanger, Moss Adams; J.C. Hall, Esterline Hytek Finishes; Tom Brosius, Orion Aerospace; Melanie Jordan, president of Aviation Liaison; Scott Hamilton, Leeham Corp.; Keith Sims, ING Financial; Robert Wagner, managing director of Imperial Capital; Bob Uptagrafft, Impact Washington; Ted Croft, owner of Pyrotek Heat Treating; Rick Taylor, Altek; Jim Sheehan, government of Canada; Monica Wiedrich, Washington State Department of Commerce.
Website: pnaa.net
Washington Aerospace Partnership (WAP)
A collaboration business, labor and government leaders. Was an offshoot of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s Governor’s Tanker Coalition. Converting to a 501(c)(4). Pays part of the salary of Alex Pietsch, director of the Governor’s Office of Aerospace.
Mission: To enable leaders from business, labor and local governments to work together to support and grow the aerospace cluster in Washington. Supports new opportunities, finds new opportunities for existing businesses and continues development of the aerospace workforce.
Founded: 2009
Co-chairs: Maud Daudon, president and chief executive officer of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Bob Drewel, executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council; Jeff Johnson, president of the Washington State Labor Council. The WAP executive director is Alex Pietsch, director of the Governor’s Office of Aerospace.
Website: www.washington-aerospace.com
Washington Aerospace Council
Formed by executive order by Gov. Chris Gregoire and has a mix of industry, labor and government-agency representatives. Reports to the Legislature every year.
Mission: To improve coordination, responsiveness and integration of the state’s aerospace training, education, research and development programs to meet industry needs; enhance the economic climate for the industry; provide a forum for industry, labor and government; and ensure that Washington remains the best place to design and manufacture aircraft.
Founded: 2009
Board members: Rogers Weed, director of the Washington State Department of Commerce; Charles Earl, executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Don Bennett, executive director of the Higher Education Coordinating Board; Elson Floyd, president of Washington State University; Judy Warnick, U.S. House of Representatives; Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, U.S. House of Representatives; Steve Hobbs, Washington state Senate; Mike Hewitt, Washington state Senate; Larry Brown, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; Stan Sorscher, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA); Randall Julin, Absolute Aviation Services; Bill McSherry, Boeing Co.; Ben Hempstead, Electroimpact; Michael Mooney, Triumph Composites; John Theisen, CEO of Orion Aerospace; Eleni Papadakis, executive director of the state Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.
Website: www.governor.wa.gov/boards/profiles/7082595.asp
Inland Northwest Aerospace Consortium (INWAC)
Eastern Washington and northern Idaho aerospace-related businesses advocating that region as an aerospace center.
Mission: To position aerospace as one of that region’s premier industries.
Board members: Joel Casebier, Goodrich Corp.; Stan Key, Greater Spokane Inc.; Rick Pickel, Haskins Steel Co.; Mike Marzetta, Altek; Dan Tabish, Inland Northwest Metallurgical Services; Gordon Cudney, Apex Industries; Mike Mooney, Triumph Composites Systems; Todd Woodard, Spokane International Airport; Randall Julin, Absolute Aviation Services.
Website: www.inwac.com
Kitsap Aerospace and Defense Alliance
Kitsap businesses, economic alliance groups and the Port of Bremerton formed this public-private consortium to capitalize on the opportunities for business growth arising from expansion of the aerospace industry, both commercial and defense, on the west side of Puget Sound over the next decade.
Mission: To position and promote Kitsap County to retain, expand and attract aerospace and defense industry investment and employment by leveraging the South Kitsap Industrial Area and Bremerton National Airport.
Founded: 2011
Co-chairs: Tim Thomson, CEO, Port of Bremerton; John Powers, executive director, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance.
Website: www.portofbremerton.org/content/kitsap-aerospace-and-defense-alliance
Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition
A member-funded group dedicated to improving the defense-industry climate across the Pacific Northwest.
Mission: To foster steady economic growth for the region and sustainable long-term profit for members.
Board members: Robert Toppel, Axiom Electronics; Will Macia, Last U.S. Bag Co.; Adrian Polliack, SAM Medical; Eric Meslow, Timbercon; Rich Chwaszczewski, SAIC Maritime; Katherine Cowan, Eid Passport; Tim Lachenmeier, Near Space Corp.; Laura McKinney, Galois; Dallas Meggitt, Sound &Sea Technologies; Kevin Trepa, Leupold &Stevens; Charlie Lake, Warne Manufacturing; Casey Ingels, Tactical Tailor.
Website: www.pndc.us
King County Aerospace Alliance
Includes cities in King County, community and state colleges and labor groups convened by King County Executive Dow Constantine.
Mission: To unite local jurisdictions, the public sector, business and labor to foster longterm economic vitality, growth and global competitiveness in the local aerospace industry.
Founded: 2011
Members: King County; city of Renton; city of Auburn; city of Tukwila; city of Bellevue; Port of Seattle; Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Kent Chamber of Commerce; Renton Chamber of Commerce; enterpriseSeattle; Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County; M.L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge 751; Renton Technical College; Shoreline Community College.
Website: www.kingcounty.gov/exec/constantine/KCAA.aspx
Air Washington
Consortium of 11 community and technical colleges that won a $20 million grant for worker training.
Founded: 2011
Mission: By fall of 2014, train more than 2,600 workers in advanced manufacturing and composites, electronics and avionics, aircraft assembly and aircraft maintenance.
Advisory board: Mary Kaye Bredeson, chair of the Center of Excellence for Aerospace; Dave Cox, dean of Spokane Community College; Carol Weigand, Spokane Community College; Dixie Simmons, State Board for Community &Technical Colleges; Dennis Wallace, Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction; Randall Julian, Inland NorthWest Aerospace Consortium; Todd Woodard, Aerospace Futures Alliance; Melanie Jordan, Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance; Michael Greenwood, Boeing Co.; Jason Redrup, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); Connie Coleman-Lacadie, Federal Aviation Administration; Sean Murphy, Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition. (Several board members represent other associations rather than their employers.)
Website: www.airwashington.org
Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing
A liaison and resource for 34 Community and technical Colleges in Washington.
Mission: Quickly develop flexible short-term education and training programs to help drive the regional economy by maximizing the local skilled labor force.
Advisory board: Steve Bagwell, Warm Industrial Nonwoven; Terryll Bailey, The Allison Group; David Beyer, Everett Community College; Andy Bird, Clover Park Technical College; William C. Bonaudi, Big Bend Community College; Susan Bradshaw, Center of Excellence; Mary Kaye Bredeson, Center of Excellence; Mantz A. Brinkman, Boeing Co.; Larry Brown, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); Mary Brueggeman, Future of Flight Foundation; Herman Calzadillas, Washington Business Week; Siro Cappelletti, ThyssenKrupp Aerospace; Robert D. Clarke, Boeing Co.; Marie Clever, Boeing Co.; Steve Cotterill, Snohomish School District; David Cunningham, Shoreline Community College; Tom Doughty, Janicki Industries; Dave Gering, Manufacturing Industrial Council; Greta Gillisse, Korry Esterline; Michael Greenwood, Boeing Co.; Amy Hatfield, Olympic College; Laura Hopkins, Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee; Ray Kubista, Everett Community College; Marci Larsen, Mukilteo School District; Bob Lawrence, Peninsula College; Mary Ludden, Triumph Structures; Michael Richey, Boeing Co.; Susan St. Germain, Washington State Department of Commerce; Curtis Takahashi, Workforce Development Council Snohomish County; Allison Urbas, Korry Esterline; Michael Werner, Granite Falls High School; Geoff Wood, Profile Composites.
Website: www.a2m2.net
Aerospace Pipeline Advisory Committee
Formed by the Legislature this year and coordinated by the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges.
Mission: Accommodate industry workforce needs; conduct a skills-gap analysis; establish goals for students served and job placement rates; coordinate and disseminate industry advice; recommend programs.
Founded: 2012
Members: Eight aerospace companies; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA); Aerospace Futures Alliance; Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee; Governor’s Aerospace Office; Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction; Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing.
Website: www.sbctc.ctc.edu
Snohomish County Aerospace in Action (AIA)
A panel of Snohomish County political and business leaders focused on affirming and growing the aerospace sector that surrounds Boeing at Paine Field.
Mission: Initially, provide leadership to ensure Everett is the final assembly site for the Boeing 777-X. Long term, work to strengthen higher education as needed by industry, develop better K-12 STEM instruction and keep the cost of doing business reasonable.
Founded: 2012
Members: Snohomish County executive’s office; Dave Somers, Snohomish County Council; Stephanie Wright, Snohomish County Council; Ray Stephanson, city of Everett; Lanie McMullin, city of Everett; Jon Nehring, city of Marysville; Gloria Hirashima, city of Marysville; Joe Marine, city of Mukilteo; Joe Hannan, city of Mukilteo; Barbara Tolbert, city of Arlington; Paul Ellis, city of Arlington; Paul Pitre, Washington State University; David Beyer, Everett Community College; Jean Hernandez, Edmonds Community College; John Mohr, Port of Everett; Carl Wollebek, Port of Everett; Dave Waggoner, Paine Field; Troy McClelland, Economic Alliance Snohomish County; John Monroe, Economic Alliance Snohomish County; Patrick Pierce, Economic Alliance Snohomish County; Mark Lewinski, Kirtley-Cole; Carl Fender, Everett School District; Steve Cotterill, Snohomish School District; Sue Ambler, Workforce Development Council Snohomish County; Reid Shockey, Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation; Derick Baisa, Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies; Steve Daschel, Kaiman Global Aerosystems; Ben Hempstead, Electroimpact; Dale Peinecke, Giddens Industries; David Rhoden, Esterline; Sanjiv Bhardwaj, Vaupell; Rich White, Boeing Co.
Website: www.economicalliancesc.org
Aerospace Presidents Committee
A panel of presidents of community and technical colleges in Washington that considers aerospace topics.
Mission: Keep up to date on what each community and technical college is doing in aerospace training and education.
Founded: 2010
Members: State community and technical colleges with aerospace programs.
Website: None
Aerospace Curriculum Alignment Team (ACAT)
Formed when educators learned that Boeing was interested in the curriculum and course offerings at community and technical colleges.
Mission: To provide an ongoing forum for clarifying industry needs and matching them with college and training-center programs.
Founded: 2010
Website: www.a2m2.net/acat
Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation
Created by the Legislature to be a research clearinghouse.
Mission: To advance research of new technologies that offer the promise of innovative products in aviation, aerospace and defense.
Founded: 2012
Board members: Representatives from Washington State University; University of Washington; the Boeing Co.; another industry representative; someone from the state.
Website: None
Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee
Formed by the 2008 Legislature to ensure the state has an adequate supply of trained workers through a state apprenticeship program.
Mission: Provide apprenticeships, innovative training programs and effective trades trainers.
Founded: 2008
Committee: Michael Greenwood, Boeing; Jesse Cote, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751; Janie Pierce, Precision Machine Works; Tom Lux, Boeing/IAM joint programs; Nan Mitzel, Human Resources.
Website: www.ajactraining.org
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.