Aerospace Defense Forum

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“Forward Slope Inc.’s experience with Private Equity – more than just an exit plan!” – SD Chapter

San Diego Chapter meeting on March 19, 2024

Meeting location: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
12275 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130-4092
Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Meeting Time:
Networking & Refreshments, 4:30-5:30 PM:
Presentation: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Like most San Diego based small business firms in the Aero and Defense industry, Forward Slope Inc. (FSI) did not know what to expect when Covid restrictions hit the industry. Pleasantly, the government issued more contracts and simplified payments which facilitated unprecedented growth. While focused on providing the best technical solutions for customers, FSI unknowingly hit the radar of private equity (PE) firms and was presented an immediate, unplanned, exit strategy option.

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (4:30-5:30 PM: Networking & Refreshments, 5:30-6:30 PM: Presentation) when Carlos Persichetti, CEO, Forward Slope, Inc., will tell the story of how PE options arose for FSI; how FSI assessed them, and how FSI ultimately chose its PE “exit,” which turned into an opportunity to partner with PE to build a new platform. The story includes the creation of a “to be Mission Statement/Rallying Cry”, the acquisition of five companies into the new platform, integrating the acquisitions into one organization and building a way forward strategy. Carlos will explain his journey along with the pros and cons of PE as all firms ARE NOT EQUAL!

The meeting is free for members & $30 for non-members until March 12 ($40 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdmar24.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, and hosted by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

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“What You Should Know to Maximize the Value of Your Business in Today’s A&D and M&A Environment” – SCV

Santa Clarita Valley Chapter Meeting on March 19, 2024

Please join us for an in-person meeting on Tuesday March 19, 7:15-9:00am PST when Barton F. Webb, President, and Eric D. Jensen, Managing Director of Janas Associates, will describe:
• Current A&D Trends
• Critical success factors to profitably grow your business
• The Key Elements Investors and Acquirors Looking for
• How businesses are valued during the sale process
• Timelines for the preparation and process
• Valuation examples from actual deals

The location of the meeting is Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until March 12 ($45 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvmar24.eventbrite.com/.

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

The Santa Clarita Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.

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Tour of AAE Aerospace. A division of Karman Space & Defense – OC Chapter

Orange County Chapter meeting in Huntington Beach on March 8, 2024

Tour of AAE Aerospace. A division of Karman Space & Defense

Orange County Chapter meeting in Huntington Beach on March 8, 2024

The AAE Aerospace Team develops and produces high temperature structural composites products for the most critical and advanced missile and space systems in the world. Our industry experience spans over five decades and has earned us a reputation for excellence and the coveted position as sole-source supplier through high barrier-to-entry qualification for the majority of our programs. As a division of Karman Space & Defense, we are able to leverage the extended capabilities of our collective divisions and bring our customers a complete solution.

Please join us in Huntington Beach on Friday, March 8, 2024, 7:45–9:00am, for an exciting Meeting & Tour.

The event is free for members and $30 for non-members ($40 after March 1). Register at https://adfocmar24.eventbrite.com.

The number of attendees is limited to 15. A waiting list will be maintained if registrations exceed 15.

US citizenship is required. The RSVP list will be reviewed. AAE competitors and start-ups will not be accepted.

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

The Orange County chapter is hosted by Moss Adams.

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“Dare Mighty Things Together: Exploring Space with JPL” – NOF

National Online Forum webinar on Wednesday, February 21, 2024

From launching the very first U.S. satellite in 1958 to landing rovers on Mars, from fighting climate change to discovering thousands of other worlds, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory dares mighty things by imagining and then achieving what others might think impossible.

With a full manifest of missions, JPL seeks to have an expanded positive impact on the space ecosystem for decades to come.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 8:00-9:00 am Pacific Time, when Dr. Laurie Leshin, Director, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will delve into JPL’s rich legacy and its present-day identity, showcasing how innovation is embedded in JPL’s DNA, and explore the benefits of advancing science and technology for the benefit of humanity.

The webinar is free for members and $25 for non-members. For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfnoffeb24.eventbrite.com.

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

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“Community Integration Considerations for Advanced Air Mobility Operations” – SCV Chapter

Santa Clarita Valley Chapter Meeting on FEbruary 20, 2024

NASA’s vision for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is to help emerging aviation markets to safely develop an air transportation system that moves people and cargo between places previously not served or underserved by aviation – local, regional, intraregional, urban – using revolutionary new aircraft that are only just now becoming possible.

Please join us on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, (Networking & Breakfast: 7:15-7:45am Meeting & Presentation: 7:45-9:00am Pacific Time) when Starr Ginn, Advanced Air Mobility Lead Strategist, NASA will discuss the many challenges o support this new mode of transportation that need to be addressed: Electric Aircraft and Automation Certification, Infrastructure, Airspace Integration and Community Integration.

The location of the meeting is Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until February 13 ($45 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvfeb24.eventbrite.com/.

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

The Santa Clarita Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.

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Presentations & Tour of University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI)

DFW Chapter meeting in Ft. Worth on February 14

Meeting location: University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI)
7300 Jack Newell Blvd S, Fort Worth, TX 76118
Meeting Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Meeting Time:
Networking & Refreshments, 4:00-4:30 PM:
Presentations & Tours: 4:30-6:00 p.m.

The UT Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) specializes in applying cutting-edge technologies to real-world engineering problems.

Please join us on Wednesday, February 14, 4:00-6:00pm for this first meeting of the DFW Chapter after the pandemic that will include networking, presentations, and tours by the UTARI staff:

The presentations will start with a brief overview of UTARI in the meeting room for about 15 min, with 5 or 10 minutes for Q&A, including brief presentations by UTARI staff members:
• Eileen Clements, Interim Executive Director
• Nick Gans, Principal Research Scientist and Head of the Automation & Intelligent Systems Division
• Rassel Raihan, Assistant Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and member of the Institute for Predictive Performance Methodologies
• Vamsee Vadlamudi, Research Scientist and member of the Institute for Predictive Performance Methodologies

After that there will be lab tours for about 30-45 min. The tours will include multiple labs with the following:
• Testing and staging areas for mobile robotic and aerial vehicles
• Tools and systems for fabricating, testing, and inspecting composite structures
• Machining tools and 3D printers for prototype fabrication

Much of the equipment in the facility can be found here: https://utari.uta.edu/collaborate/equipment/

The meeting is free for A&D Forum members ($25 Early Bird for non-members until January 3, $35 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfdfwjan24.eventbrite.com.

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

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

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“How to Optimize Industry MARCOMM when working DoD Domain”

San Diego Chapter meeting on January 16, 2024

Meeting location: Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP
12275 El Camino Real, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92130-4092
Meeting Date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Meeting Time:
Networking & Refreshments, 4:30-5:30 PM:
Presentation: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

For industry partners who own a major DoD program or are a sub for a program or seeking to be awarded a program, navigating the shoals of MARCOMM with DoD may not always be intuitively obvious. When crafting public communication about a DoD program, taking into account all the unintended audiences can help avoid unintended consequences. An otherwise brilliant comm strategy that fails to consider the complexities of all of DoD’s stakeholders, both at home and abroad, can be counterproductive to the customer, and ultimately fail.

Please join us in San Diego on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 (4:30-5:30 PM: Networking & Refreshments, 5:30-6:30 PM: Presentation) when Rear Adm. Charlie Brown, USN (Ret), former Navy Chief of Information (CHINFO), and now EVP for Strat Comms of Bartlett Maritime Corp. will suggest how to optimize industry MARCOMM.

Admiral Brown was a Navy Public Affairs Officer going back to TOPGUN days at, then, Naval Air Station Miramar. He has been the PAO for Naval Air Forces, Third Fleet, Pacific Fleet, the CNO, and culminating his career as THEE Chief of Information for all of the Department of the Navy (CHINFO). He has observed the goods and others of industry efforts in the MARCOMM domain and observed what happens to companies that get this right…and those who get it wrong.

If you are doing business with DoD or desire to do business with DoD, this is some of the simplest (and most often fumbled) guidance for industry.

The meeting is free for members & $30 for non-members until January 9 ($40 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to http://adfsdjan24.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, and hosted by Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton.

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“Key Aerospace Aircraft Technologies”

AZ Chapter webinar on December 14, 2023

Please join us 9:30-10:30 am Phoenix Time on Thursday, December 14, 2023, when David Anderson, retired Boeing, ConvAirT Group partner, will discuss key aerospace aircraft technologies.

David Anderson is a private pilot experienced with Boeing and competitor’s airplanes. He retired as Boeing Managing Director of Product Development. He now hosts an AIAA Seattle Retirees brunch and aviation technical speaker’s forum at the Museum of Flight.

The meeting is free for A&D Forum Individual Members and Corporate Members, and Americas Aerospace Cluster members, and $25 for Non-members. Register to attend at https://adfazdec23.eventbrite.com/

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

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“Employment Law 2024 Update: What Employers Should Know.”

Santa Clarita Valley Chapter Meeting on January 16, 2024

Every New Year, California employers are greeted with a host of new laws regulating the workplace. 2024 is no exception. In January, several new changes will take effect in California, potentially impacting your organization and creating new compliance obligations.

In this presentation, you will receive a comprehensive review of recent updates to California employment laws and the changing employment landscape. You will hear from a seasoned California employment defense attorney about potential pitfalls and key employment considerations.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, (Networking & Breakfast: 7:15-7:45am Meeting & Presentation: 7:45-9:00am Pacific Time) when Jessica S. Westcott, Esq. of Hackler Flynn & Associates helps us to become familiar with the new laws and learn best practices for avoiding costly employment law issues in the coming year.

The location of the meeting is Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center at College of the Canyons. The meeting is free for members and $35 for non-members until January 9 ($45 thereafter). For more information and to register to attend the meeting go to https://adfscvjan24.eventbrite.com/.

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

The Santa Clarita Valley chapter of The Aerospace & Defense Forum is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation.