Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Aerospace can be Fun”

“Aerospace can be Fun”sts67crew

Arizona Chapter November 10 meeting

Lt. Col. (Ret) Bill Gregory has a background in Aerospace matched by few. Since his days at the USAF Academy beginning in the summer of 1975, he has studied Aerospace disciplines, been a pilot continuously for nearly 40 years, spent nearly a quarter-century in the military, and has spent the last 16+ years in the civilian world serving the Aerospace and Defense community. He has a wealth of experience concerning what it takes to keep America airborne…from manufacturing aircraft parts from raw materials, to flying the Space Shuttle 200+ miles above the Earth’s surface at five miles per second or twenty five times the speed of sound.

Please join us in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30–9:00am), when Bill Gregory, Former NASA Astronaut and currently Advanced Instructor Pilot for Aviation Performance Solutions will discuss his career, from fighter pilot, to test pilot, to astronaut pilot, and currently as an instructor pilot. Special emphasis will be given to his flight in space [STS-67] and will include a video of the mission. Hopefully this will pique your interest in the history of the United States’ space program, where it is today, and where it will go in the future. He will also cover his current occupation of teaching pilots how to recover from out-of-control situations.

Unless you are the rare breed who refuses to fly in a corporate or commercial jet aircraft, you will be interested on what changes are afoot to make your next flight a safer trip through the skies.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum and Arizona Technology Council members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until November 3). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfaznov15.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 Greenberg Traurig.

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“Developing Business In Today’s Budget Environment”

“Developing Business In Today’s Budget Environment”2016-budget-chart-total-spending2

San Diego Chapter meeting on November 20

Identifying opportunities, structuring proposals, and ultimately, winning contracts has always been a complex process for DoD contractors; however, today’s budget and procurement backdrops have fostered an increasingly competitive environment and created additional challenges for companies operating in the industry:
• LPTA Contract Awards
• Contract Consolidation – MAC and IDIQ Awards
• Increased Set Asides
• Bid Protests

Regardless, Small Business continues to be Big Business in the Federal Services Market. Small business prime contract awards have increased for the last three fiscal years and in FY 2014 accounted for $91.7 billion, nearly one-fourth of all federal contracts awarded. In addition, large business prime contractors subcontracted an additional 33% to small business.

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 (registration & Networking: 5:30-6:15pm, meeting: 6:15-7:45pm PST), when the event will begin with a DoD budget update followed by a diverse panel of business development professionals, with perspectives ranging from large primes to small business, providing their insight into the business development process. We will address the contracting trends above with each individual offering their point of view on how to successfully navigate the current contracting environment. Panelists include Dwayne Junker (Senior Advisor to the President, Epsilon System Solutions, Inc.), Shirley Adams (Director, Engineering Services, SOLUTE), Will Nevilles (Senior Vice President for C4ISR, Indus Technology, Inc.), Robin Reschke (Director of Business Development, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Inc.), and Matt Griesbach (Moderator, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Merrill Lynch).

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until November 10). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdnov15.eventbrite.com.

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

The San Diego chapter was founded by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton and Frontier Associates, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and LevitZacks.

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“Evolution of Boeing Vertical Lift Aircraft”

“Evolution of Boeing Vertical Lift Aircraft”Apache

Arizona Chapter October 20 meeting

Please join us in Phoenix, AZ on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, (networking at 7:00am, meeting 7:30–9:00am), when Mark Ballew, director of global sales & marketing for attack helicopter programs at The Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz. will give an overview of the Boeing vertical lift business portfolio. His presentation will focus on the company’s business in Arizona, including the development, production, flight test and support of the AH-64 Apache and the AH-6 Light Attack/Reconnaissance Helicopters.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum and Arizona Technology Council members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until October 13). For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazoct15.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 Greenberg Traurig.

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Special Tour of MCAS Miramar, San Diego

Special Tour of MCAS Miramar, San DiegoOsprey MV-22

San Diego Chapter meeting and tour on October 27

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 for a special tour of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (networking at 7:00am, meeting and tour 7:30am-10:30am).

The tour will include, besides seeing the base from the bus, the following:

  • Flight line tour: we will tour the flight line from the bus.
  • Visit with an aircraft: Three types of aircraft are in typical use at Miramar: Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, FA-18 Hornet Jet, and the CH-53 Super Stallion Helicopter. We have requested to visit the Osprey, but which one we visit will depend on flight operations that morning. We will be able to get up close and personal with the aircraft and the squadron personnel. Some may get a chance to sit in the cockpit.
  • Visit to the MCAS Miramar Control Tower: This is the really unique part of the tour and the reason why the group is limited to 15. We will be able to go to the top of the Control Tower and observe the Air Traffic Control and Ground Control Approach Room

To cover costs, the tour is $15 for A&D Forum members (who have exclusive access until October 6) and $25 for non-members (after October 6). You must RSVP by 8pm PST Monday, October 19. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdoct15.eventbrite.com.

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

The San Diego chapter was founded by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton and Frontier Associates, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and LevitZacks.

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Tour of GE Aviation, Flight Test Operation

Tour of GE Aviation, Flight Test Operation, Victorville, CA

General Electric Boeing 747 testbed, photographed on June 11, 2015.
General Electric Boeing 747 testbed, photographed on June 11, 2015.

Orange County Chapter meeting on November 5

Please join us on Thursday, November 5, 2015, 9:00am – 11:00am PDT for a tour of GE Aviation’s flying test bed located in Victorville, California featuring a modified 747-400. The 747 flying test bed is used for testing next generation jet engines, including the LEAP engine. On the tour, visitors will spend approximately one hour touring the facility, including a chance to view the aircraft’s interior, cockpit, data system and instrumentation, engines and load bank area. Visitors will get an opportunity to see some of the modifications made to transform the 747 into an operational flying test bed.

This event is limited to 40 US citizens on first-come basis. A waitlist will be maintained.

The event is free for A&D Forum members (exclusive access until October 20) and $35 for non-members (who may register after October 20). Click here to register to attend the event.

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

The Orange County chapter was founded by Frontier Associates and D.A. Davidson & Co., and is sponsored by Burdge Logistics, Moss Adams, Hein & Associates, and UK Trade & Investment.

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“Human Engagement and Lean”

“Human Engagement and Lean:
Why America’s Winning The Battle, But Losing The War”I-love-my-job_employee-engagement

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on October 16

While lean manufacturing is a game changer in production, sadly, its impact is creating human productivity without the important elements that make us all human. Employee engagements are at historical lows, and man’s curiosity and creativity seems to be a distant memory from his incredible past.

So why is the disconnect between improving business process and improving people so vast? Why are companies of all sizes seemingly winning the battle on productivity, but losing the war on employee engagement? Is man’s curiosity and creativity set to go off a cliff without new leadership approaches to engaging tomorrow’s workers beginning today? What will that impact mean for American jobs?

Please join us in Los Angeles on Friday, October 16, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when panelists John Perry, Robert Corbin, and Colin Baird will discuss employee engagement, what it feels like to be disengaged at work, and what can be done to improve it.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until October 9). For more information and to register to attend the meeting in person or for free via the web, go to https://adflaoct15.eventbrite.com.

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

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum was founded by Frontier Associates and the 62 Mile Club, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, Sheppard Mullin, CohnReznick, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, and UK Trade & Investment.

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Tour of General Atomics UAV Flight Test Facility

Tour of General Atomics UAV Flight Test FacilityGA UAV

South Bay (CA) Chapter October 14 meeting in Palmdale

General Atomics Flight Test Facility (also known as the Gray Butte UAV Site) may be the largest private unmanned aerial vehicle airport in the USA. It is General Atomics’ main test center, where the company’s Predator and Reaper UAVs are regularly flown. The company has operated for years out of the nearby El Mirage Lake airport, which it developed with the CIA, and still uses as well.

Please join us in Palmdale, CA, on Wednesday, October 14, 2015, 10:00am-12:00pm PDT (networking at 9:30am) for a presentation and tour of the Facility

Attendance is limited to US Citizens who are the #1 or #2 operating executives of A&D companies or plants. The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until September 29). Advanced registration is required, and registration closes at 7:00am on October 7. For more information and to register to attend the meeting or for the waitlist, go to http://adfsboct15.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, Aerospace Engineering Corp., Community Bank, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting, and led by the heads of Aerospace Manufacturing & Engineering. Alloy Processing, Triumph Aerostructures-Hawthorne, Dasco Engineering Corporation, Brek Manufacturing, and Frontier Associates.

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“Building Enterprise Value in Mid-Market Firms”

“Building Enterprise Value in Mid-Market Firms”Enterprise Value

Orange County Chapter meeting on October 1
(live webstream available)

In recent years, the aerospace markets for both commercial and military products have been rapidly changing and are becoming more and more competitive. In this hyper competitive environment, properly entering/exiting the market has become even more complex.

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, October 1, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when David Schmidt, CEO of a middle-market A&D company, will outline a plan for building enterprise value and investment strategies for growing middle market companies. In the current atmosphere, Strategic Leaders, Mid-Market Competitors, and Private Equity Investors share similar challenges in building Enterprise Value. Limits on growth include access to capital, capacity constraints, staffing, retention of skills, and collective bargaining units. The key to successfully building enterprise value and managing growth is to construct and follow a well-defined Investment Thesis that outlines year-to-year goals & expectations. David Schmidt will share investment strategies and planning for Mid-Market Firms.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until September 24). You may also attend via the web for free. Click here to register to attend the meeting

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

The Orange County chapter was founded by Frontier Associates and D.A. Davidson & Co., and is sponsored by Burdge Logistics, Moss Adams, Hein & Associates, and UK Trade & Investment.

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“Leadership Lessons from the Race to Space”

“Leadership Lessons from the Race to Space”Space Race

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on September 18

From 1959 through 1981, John J. Perry worked among the most innovative leaders, both on and off this planet. He worked on Orbital Rendezvous, X-15, and Lunar Landing Research Vehicle simulators, to name a few. He worked with many talented others, including Neil Armstrong, Joe Walker, and Pete Knight. On July 20th, 1969, John observed the product of their joint efforts as Neil took, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

So why, after more than 22 years, did John leave the organization he once loved so much? What propelled him out of NASA just prior to retirement and into a completely different career?

Please join us in Los Angeles on Friday, September 18, 2015, 7:30am – 9:00am PDT (networking at 7:00am), when John J. Perry, Founder and President,
Human Productivity Systems will share the leadership lessons he learned during his exciting journey. Also learn what he thinks it will take for organizations of all descriptions to return to a time when most leaders understood their roles and most employees were inspired to commit their best in their employer’s service.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until August 14). For more information and to register to attend the meeting in person or for free via the web, go to https://adflasep15.eventbrite.com.

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

The Los Angeles chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum was founded by Frontier Associates and the 62 Mile Club, and is sponsored by Moss Adams, Sheppard Mullin, CohnReznick, Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell, and UK Trade & Investment.