Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Doing Business with Northrop Grumman”

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on August 16

NOTE: Building security policy. All attendees must register no less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting or they will not be allowed entrance to the building.

Beginning with Jack Northrop’s early pioneering collaborations with the Loughead (Lockheed) Brothers, Northrop Grumman has a storied legacy. The company is one of the preeminent players throughout Los Angeles’ aviation history and remains an aerospace leader in Southern California today. In 2018, supplier contracts were valued at over $3.4 billion in Los Angeles County alone. 50% of Northrop Grumman’s suppliers in Southern California are Small, Small Disadvantaged, Women-Owned Small, Hub Zone, or Small Disadvantaged Veteran-Owned Small Businesses.

Doing business with Northrop Grumman requires a basic knowledge of the company as well as an understanding of how to engage with Northrop’s supplier management system.

Please join us in Century City on Friday, August 16, 7:30–9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am), when Arnie Streland, Senior Director, Strategy and Business Development, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Space Systems Group, will provide you with an overview of Northrop Grumman and it’s major organizations and products, giving you the background and understanding you need to do business with the company. Emphasis will be placed on Northrop Grumman activities in Southern California, including main locations and projects.

Most importantly, you will be provided with valuable information on how to contact and work with the Northrop Grumman supply chain process to gain access to upcoming supplier opportunities. If you’re serious about building a relationship with one of the premiere aerospace companies, you do not want to miss this meeting.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after August 16). Guests may attend two chapter meetings for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflaaug19.eventbrite.com.

The LA chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is hosted by Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell and sponsored by RSM, California Bank & Trust, Chubb, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, and Stanton Chase.

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“Technological Trends: Moving from Awareness to Preparedness”

South Bay Chapter meeting in Torrance on August 14

Our job as business leaders is to create long term value. The challenge is building value despite the constant onslaught of change and disruption from advances in technology. How should leaders ensure their teams are not just aware of these trends but more importantly are effectively prepared?

Please join us in Torrance on Wednesday, August 14, 7:30–9:00am, when Larry O’Toole, Founder, Yosemite Associates, will present a session designed to help executives take away the uncertainty of steps they can take now to move their organizations from awareness to preparedness in navigating technological trends. Participants will leave the session with actionable insights, including proven templates, they can use to have meaningful planning discussions with their teams.

Session Outline
• Situational awareness & operational effectiveness
• Relevant learnings from the 2008 financial crisis
• Understanding the technology versus the strategic impact
• Impact on company enterprise value enablers
• Is your strategic plan effectively addressing trends
• Taking away the uncertainty of how to prepare
• Introduction of planning tools/templates

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $40 for Non-members ($30 Early Bird until August 7). Guests may attend for free for a max of two chapter meetings. Register to attend at: https://adfsbaug19.eventbrite.com.

The South Bay Chapter is hosted by California Manufacturing Technology Consulting and sponsored by Moss Adams, Chubb, and Bolton & Company.

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“Space 2030- New technologies for manned exploration”

AZ Chapter meeting in Phoenix on August 8

Meeting location: Spencer Fane LLP
2415 E Camelback Road, Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85016-4288
Meeting Date: Thursday, August 8
Meeting Time:
Networking: 5:30-6:00pm
Meeting: 6:00-7:30pm

Please join us in Phoenix, AZ on Thursday, August 8, 6:00-7:30pm (networking and refreshments at 5:30pm), when Dr. Troy Howe, President, Howe Industries LLC will cover new advances to thermoelectric power generation which can be used for deep space exploration in radioisotope batteries, long lived power sources for drones, or waste heat pickup on earth.

Solid state power conversion offers steady and reliable electrical power with little to no maintenance, making it ideal for extended lifetime applications.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum, AZTC, and Americans Aerospace Cluster members ($30 for non-members until August 1, $40 thereafter). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting, go to http://adfazaug19.eventbrite.com.

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

The meeting is hosted by Spencer Fane LLP.

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“A Personal History and Perspective on the Southern California A&D Industry”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on August 20

Meeting Location: Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP
15260 Ventura Blvd., 20th floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Meeting Date: August 20, 2019
Meeting Time: Doors open at 7am, Meeting 7:30-9:00am

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, August 20, 7:30am–9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am), when Brian Gamberg, Executive Vice President, DCX-CHOL, will describe the historical evolution of the Southern California A&D Industry through the perspective of his career in aerospace. Brian began as a stock clerk in the electronic component industry and became an owner of one of the largest and most prestigious companies in our industry, specializing in the development and design of electrical connectors, electronic systems and cable assemblies.

The meeting is free for members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until August 13). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvaug19.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 hosted by Stubbs Alderton Markiles, LLP and sponsored by RSM, Chubb, and Bolton & Company.

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“What Lies Ahead in Aviation Digital Transformation”

OC Chapter meeting in Irvine on August 1

The digital industrial revolution is reshaping every industry including Aerospace & Defense which spans the entire global spectrum from family owned business to corporate titans with activities focused on Digital Transformation, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Additive Manufacturing. Many companies are striving to adapt to this rapidly changing disruptive technology while other are falling behind. GE Aviation is actively using and developing new digital tools to help drive better business outcomes for customers such as airlines, lessors, and including GE Aviation global manufacturing plants.

• GE Aviation will share views on how companies are applying Digital Transformation
• Highlight examples of digital solutions: full flight data, technical aircraft records, digital tools for pilots and companies
• How companies are using machine learning to improve business decision outcomes

Please join us in Irvine on Thursday, August 1, 7:30–9:00am, when Gib Bosworth, Executive Director of GE Aviation Digital, and Jon Dunsdon, Chief Technology Officer of GE Aviation Digital, will provide digital insights and an overview of what Digital Transformation means to GE Aviation and their customers. Gib and Jon will share their perspectives on the latest digital trends and what it means for the aviation industry and how companies are adjusting to this new reality. They will also discuss how “Big Iron” and “Big Data” are being harmonized to create actionable business decisions to improve asset optimization and overall business productivity.

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 25). Non-members may guest twice 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 is sponsored by .Moss Adams, Chubb, Bolton & Company, D.A. Davidson & Co. and InVista Associates.

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“How to Maximize your Trade Show, Symposium, or Conference ROI”

San Diego Chapter meeting on July 23

Meeting location: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
12275 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130-2006
Meeting Date: Tuesday, July 23
Meeting Time:
Registration and Networking: 5:30 p.m.
Meeting: 6:15-7:45 p.m.

Have you attended a conference or sponsored a trade show and ever wondered if you had a return on your investment? While the trade show industry booms under high hopes of Aerospace and Defense spending, Industry still lags on where to place their precious marketing dollars. The San Diego Chapter of the Aerospace and Defense Forum invites you to our July networking event where we will hear from an expert panel that specializes in maximizing your event ROI. Our valued panel will address:

• Preparation for events such as the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Navy Gold Coast Conference
• How to quantify your return from events
• Learn how to maximize your ROI at all events

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019 (registration & networking: 5:30-6:15pm, meeting: 6:15-7:45pm PST), when the event will begin with networking followed by a panel of experts: Jesse Hamilton (Moderator) ( Vice President, Sentek Global), Lindsey Head (CFO, J Public Relations, Inc.), Michael K. Lindsey (Senior Capture Manager, SAIC), and Michael Parente (Business Development Manager – San Diego, Saalex Solutions).

The meeting is free for members & $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 16). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdjul19.eventbrite.com.

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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Professional Paranoia: Leadership & Management Lessons from the USS Zumwalt

Los Angeles Chapter meeting on July 19

NOTE: Building security policy. All attendees must register no less than 24 hours in advance of the meeting or they will not be allowed entrance to the building.

Captain Scott Tait served as Commanding Officer of the USS Zumwalt from 2016 to November 2018. During his tour, the ship transitioned from a pre-commissioned unit at the building yard in Bath, Maine to an operational ship in the Pacific Fleet.

Zumwalt is arguably the most technologically ambitious project undertaken by any Navy since HMS Dreadnought was launched by the British in 1906. The ship incorporates a host of new capabilities, operating concepts and a drastically reduced manpower model. Its radical and innovative design introduced significant tension with the Navy’s existing framework of training, certifying, organizing and operating. The ship’s cutting edge cyber systems and unique, enduring relationship with industry placed it in the cross-hairs of the emerging great power competition with China and Russia.

Please join us in Century City on Friday, July 19, 7:30–9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am), when Captain Tait will provide a brief overview of the Zumwalt’s background and capabilities, then discuss lessons in leadership and management that are relevant for the business world’s evolving competitive environment.

The tools and insights that helped him succeed should be of benefit to anybody leading a fast moving, tech-centric organization in today’s dynamic business world.

The meeting is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after July 11). Guests may attend two chapter meetings for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adflajul19.eventbrite.com.

The LA chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by RSM, California Bank & Trust, Chubb, Bolton & Company Insurance Brokers, Stanton Chase, and Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Mitchell.

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“2019 International Paris Air Show: Impressions & Opinions”

San Fernando Valley Chapter meeting on July 16

Meeting Location: City National Bank,
15260 Ventura Blvd., 16th floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Meeting Date: July 16, 2019
Meeting Time: Doors open at 7am, Meeting 7:30-9:00am

The 2019 Paris Air Show (or Le Bourget) was really all about uncertainty – the uncertainty heading into the airshow was the highest it has been in several years. All this uncertainty is driven by the state of the market, the grounding of the 737 MAX and what that means to the market, significant continued consolidation, changing dynamics, changing technology, the impact of Brexit (again) and the impact of growing defense programs.

Going into the show, there were nine key topics to watch for at the show:
• The continued grounding of the 737 MAX and when it will return to service?
• What is the health of the commercial aircraft cycle – will we see the new aircraft order bonanzas of previous shows or is the bubble ready to pop?
• New aircraft model introductions – will we see NMA or will Boeing opt for NSA, will we see the new A321 XLR, or maybe others?
• The changes in the regional aircraft market – Bombardier and Embraer exit, so what happens now with MRJ and COMAC?
• Consolidation continues – Raytheon/UTC a merger of equals, Boeing acquires EnCore, L3 merges with Harris, what’s next
• There is a growing demand for fighter aircraft because of aging fleets and higher levels of defense spending – what will the future look like?
• Electric, hybrid and eVTOL aircraft – how close to reality and who are the players?
• Urban mobility – when will we see this and who are the key players?
• How will the aviation industry address sustainability and being more “green”?

The show itself seemed to be a little more lightly attended than previous shows, reflecting the uncertainty; however the Paris Air Show always manages to be interesting. While the airshow did not provide definitive answers on all the important issues, we did have more than a few surprises.

Please join us in Sherman Oaks, CA, on Tuesday, July 16, 7:30am–9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am), to hear a first-hand account from David Conrad, Director, Business Development, PTI Technologies, Inc., and to find out some possible answers to the major questions facing our industry.

The meeting is free for members and $40 for non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 9). Guests may attend twice for free. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsfvjul19.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 RSM, Chubb, Bolton & Company, City National Bank and InVista Associates.

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“911 Drones”

South Bay Chapter meeting in Torrance on July 10

Drone usage continues to grow and grow. They are used in the military, in law enforcement and for private use.

Come join us on July 10, 7:30-9:00am (breakfast and networking at 7:00am) for a presentation by Barry Brennan of Flying Lion, a leading authority on drones and their applications. Barry will enlighten us with a brief history of drones, discuss the challenges and regulations in place by the FAA for drones and give us examples of drone usage in law enforcement. In addition, you will learn about the future of drone use in ways you would have never thought possible.

A Q & A period will follow Barry’s presentation that will give you a chance to find out everything you may be curious about when it comes to drones.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and $40 for Non-members ($30 Early Bird until July 3). Guests may attend for free for a max of two chapter meetings. Register to attend at: https://adfsbjul19.eventbrite.com.

The South Bay Chapter is sponsored by Moss Adams, Chubb, Bolton & Company, and California Manufacturing Technology Consulting.