Aerospace Defense Forum

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JW Hill Capital’s Acquisition of Bandy Manufacturing from GKN Aerospace

JW Hill Capital’s Acquisition of Bandy Manufacturing from GKN Aerospace

A Joint Event With ACG San Diego

San Diego Chapter meeting on November 21

Independent Sponsors are a growing class of private equity firms that, unlike traditional firms with committed capital, choose to source capital on a deal-by-deal basis. JW Hill Capital, a Newport Beach-based private equity firm, is an Independent Sponsor that recently completed the acquisition of Burbank, California-based Bandy Manufacturing from GKN Aerospace. This deal, a cross-border divestiture from a major European strategic that went through a competitive auction process, is an example of how Independent Sponsors are successfully executing complex transactions.

Join us in Solana Beach, CA, on Tuesday, Nov 21, 7:00–9:00am, when our panel will examine questions such as: What does the Independent Sponsor trend mean for sellers, investors, and operators? How does an Independent Sponsor transaction differ from other buyers and what does that mean for sellers? How was JW Hill Capital, a relatively new firm, able accomplish this transaction? Do we expect to see more divestitures in the near-term as larger companies reshape their portfolios?

Panelists: John Hill (Managing Partner, JW Hill Capital), Neal Nordstrom (Operating Partner, JW Hill Capital), Paul Weisbrich (Managing Director, DA Davidson), Steve Alexander (General Manager, Bandy Manufacturing) and Moderator Ed Lake(CFO Merlin Global Services & A&D Forum, San Diego Chapter Chair)

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members. Register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdnov17.eventbrite.com. Non-members register through the ACG website at https://www.acg.org/sandiego/events/acg-san-diego-november-ma-ad.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The San Diego chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, LevitZacks, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

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“Show Me the Planets! NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration”

“Show Me the Planets! NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on December 12

Our galaxy is not nearly as lonely as we once wondered – and we now know this because astronomers have discovered thousands of planets outside of our solar system over the past 25 years. These planets orbiting other stars are called “exoplanets”, and only in the past few years have we learned just how abundant our galactic neighborhood is: on average there is at least one exoplanet for every star in the sky. More profoundly, discoveries by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope reveal that at least one-in-four stars like our Sun harbor a rocky world in the star’s habitable “goldilocks” zone where temperatures may be just right for life (as we know it) to exist. In the past two years exoplanets have been discovered orbiting nearby stars, including the closest star to Earth. Astronomers, and NASA, are now asking with renewed incentive: what are these worlds like? And are there signs of life on these worlds?

Through the Exoplanet Exploration Program, managed by Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA is developing the technology and designing missions to search for signs of life on words within 100 light-years of the Earth. This ambitious program harnesses the very best talent from our universities, government centers and industry, assembled to answer a question of the ages: are we alone in the universe or members of a greater cosmic community?

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, December 12, 7:30–9:00am, when Dr. Gary H. Blackwood, Manager, NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology will discuss NASA’s current missions and technology breakthroughs, and how this inspirational quest is already impacting the imagination and interest of the citizens of Earth. Because by exploring a galaxy of worlds we also inspire our own.

The meeting is free for members ($30 for non-members, free for guests for 2 visits). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvdec17.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The San Fernando Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by CohnReznick, City National Bank, and InVista Associates.

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A Tour of Universal Laser Systems

A Tour of Universal Laser Systems
A Laser Focus to Material Processing in A&D

AZ Chapter meeting and tour in Scottsdale on November 9

The past two years have seen industrial lasers outperform the machine tool sector, with solid single-digit growth in annual revenues. A surge in excimer laser processing of new model smartphone displays, expanding laser additive manufacturing of aircraft engine components, and significant rises in micro processing using ultrafast-pulse are major examples of growth segments. Industrial lasers are key components in automated material processing systems. As the manufacturing sector turns more toward Industry 4.0 and the IoT, shifting from centralized to decentralized manufacturing, production methods need to automatically adjust to fluctuating supply chain demands. State-of-the-art processing equipment, controlled by sensors and computers on the Internet, are now being implemented, and lasers, by their very nature, will likely be the adaptable energy source of choice.

Join us in Scottsdale on Thursday November 9 for a presentation and tour of Universal Laser Systems, Inc. who is leading the charge with a solely owned, custom-built, state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing facility in Scottsdale where they manufacture both lasers and laser systems. Following the presentation, Universal will provide a tour of their laser system manufacturing floor as well as a series of laser material processing demonstrations.

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after November 2). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfaznov17.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

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Tour of Southwest Airlines Network Operations Center

Tour of Southwest Airlines Network Operations Center

DFW Chapter meeting on November 9

Please join us on Thur, November 9, 1:30-2:30pm for a tour of Southwest Airlines’ $30 million, 50,000 square foot network operations center where more than 230 flight dispatchers work alongside crew operations and customer service coordinators to resolve issues in real time.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members ($30 for non-members until November 2). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfdfwnov17.eventbrite.com.Registration closes at 12 midnite, Monday, Nov 8.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter is sponsored by BellNunnally and the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI).

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Western Museum of Flight Tour

Western Museum of Flight Tour

South Bay Chapter Meeting on Nov 8

Please join us on Wed, Nov 8, 7:30-9:00am in Torrance, CA for a tour of the Western Museum of Flight. You will hear a short verbal history of the museum, the museum’s charter, its mission, its activities, a short history of the Torrance Airport and a very brief discussion of what you will see on the tour. You will also hear about the museum’s goals for expansion and being housed in a modern museum building at the east end of property.

The Western Museum of Flight is a non-profit, educational institution dedicated to preserving and displaying aircraft history and artifacts of Southern California’s aviation heritage. The Air Museum’s educational programs give children an opportunity to see and touch the airplanes that made aviation history. The Air Museum offers an inside look at completed and in-progress aircraft restoration projects. The Western Museum of Flight’s collection includes numerous Warbirds, aircraft and target drones, piston and jet aircraft engines, aircraft components, aircraft ejection seats, World War II instruments, aircrew accessories, and an extensive model aircraft collection.

The event is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until Nov 1). For more information and to register to attend go to http://adfsbnov17.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The South Bay Chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams, California United Bank, Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.

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“Are Drones the New First Responders?”

“Are Drones the New First Responders?”

Orange County Chapter meeting on November 2

We all recognize that first responders have a challenging and vital role. They are called to respond to multiple incidents simultaneously, with little to no advance notice, and often to remote locations where time is a critical component of situation evaluation and mitigation.

Flying Lion was formed to address these challenges, offering Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Departments on-demand rapid aerial assessment and imaging services with remotely operated copters with built in HD and infrared cameras. “Eyes on the Scene” applications include emergency response, active shooter, SWAT, fire, crowd observation, natural disasters, search and special events.

Join us in Irvine on Thursday, November 2, 7:30–9:00am, when Barry Brennan, Founder and President of Flying Lion will discuss the company’s role with public safety, a brief history of UAS, the current FAA requirements, and the future of UAS.

You will find this to be an interesting look at how technology is being integrated to significantly enhance public safety and the capability of first responders, and maybe see opportunities for technology integration by your company.

The meeting is free for members ($40 non-members). Click here to register to attend the meeting

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The Orange County chapter is sponsored by D.A. Davidson & Co., Moss Adams, Hein & Associates, and Verify.

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Grow Your Aerospace & Defense Business in Arizona and Beyond

“Grow Your Aerospace & Defense Business in Arizona and Beyond:
A Panel Discussion on State, Institutional and Industry Insights”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on October 19

Join us in Phoenix on Thursday October 19 for a full panel discussion on how to get more aerospace and defense business, the state of the industry in Arizona, available tools and resources.

1. Industry: Trends and Technology Roadmaps – Finding and Doing Business with Primes – Best Business practices for success

2. Financing: With a focus on ways of obtaining financing rather than specific programs (sales pitch) – Access to capital, loans, guarantees and insurance – Conventional Bank Lending into the A&D industry – Letters of credit, import/export from a banking perspective – Trade Credit Insurance and the ExIm Bank

3. State and Export Assistance: Grants – Subsidies – Incentive Programs – Resources

4. Tools and Resources: City and Local State Economic Development Programs and Support

The meeting is free for members and guests ($30 Early Bird for non-members, $40 after October 12). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazoct17.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The Arizona Chapter of The A&D Forum is sponsored by Moss Adams and National Bank of Arizona.

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“A New Source of Skilled Workers”

“A New Source of Skilled Workers”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on October 17

Your business consultant says “I surveyed your employees and 50% of them have decided to retire between today and the next five years!” What now? Maybe that isn’t in your company, but in the real world it’s TRUE for the entire A&D supply chain. That reality is stacked on top of today’s crisis in finding skilled workers. This month the A&D Forum is presenting a model and tactics that will change the paradigm and keep talent flowing into your company/customers when other companies are contracting from the lack of world class employees.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, October 17, 7:30–9:00am, when David Goodreau, Chairman of the Small Manufacturers Association of CA and President of the Small Manufacturers Institute (SMI), will present a regional solution that engages growing manufacturers in a sustainable talent development process. This framework, being created by SMI, Goodwill SoCal and Hope Street Group, is centered around a new Manufacturing Innovation Hub in Los Angeles with micro-regional manufacturing councils throughout LA County. The heart of the Manufacturing Hub will be the large-scale credentialing of world-class entry level workers capable of fast track learning and retention.

This framework restores leadership to industry associations and groups such as the Aerospace and Defense Forum to sustain and create value through this collaboration of industry, academia and private business resource providers. We hope you will join us in a glimpse of new opportunities from connecting growing manufacturing companies with the employees that will empower the economic changes that are coming.

The meeting is free for members ($30 for non-members, free for guests for 2 visits). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvoct17.eventbrite.com.

Information about joining The A&D Forum is at https://aerospacedefenseforum.org.

The San Fernando Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by CohnReznick, City National Bank, and InVista Associates.

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“Cybersecurity Smarts: A 6-Step Plan for Cost-Effectively Strengthening your Cyber Defenses”

“Cybersecurity Smarts: A 6-Step Plan for Cost-Effectively Strengthening your Cyber Defenses”

Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter October 12 meeting

With system hacks, including the recent intrusion at Equifax, in the new almost daily, companies need a plan for securing their systems.

Please join us at Eurocopter in Grand Prairie on Thur, October 12, (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30-9:00am) when Kelce S. Wilson of Grable Martin Fulton will present a graduated plan for intelligently improving an organization’s security posture will be discussed, starting from effectively free things to do to cut risk, up through spending serious money to try making a system fairly bulletproof. It’s prioritized, so organizations can move as far up the ladder as they wish, based on risk tolerance and budget.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members ($30 for non-members until October 5). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfdfwoct17.eventbrite.com.

Click here for more information about and to join The Aerospace & Defense Forum.

The Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter is sponsored by BellNunnally and the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI).