AFA Holds First Membership Meeting - Pledges to Boost Industry Visibility, Competitiveness

MUKILTEO – Announcing significant accomplishments in its legislative initiatives and pledging continued progress, the Aerospace Futures Alliance of Washington (AFA) on June 5 held its first membership breakfast at the Future of Flight. The coalition, which was launched in January, is still in its formative phase, leaders acknowledged, but the potential for heightening aerospace's visibility and prosperity in the state can already be glimpsed.

"Working with others inside and outside the state legislature during this session, we were able to secure three important state policy goals," said Linda Lanham, AFA's executive director. As one of these accomplishments, Lanham cited the extension of tax incentives passed for aerospace manufacturers in 2003 to include aerospace service providers, such as engineering and design firms. Educational opportunity grants and resolution of Unemployment Insurance issues were two other areas of progress, she said.

Elected officials, including U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Washington State House Speaker Frank Chopp, State Representative Skip Priest and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, addressed the AFA gathering, emphasizing the importance of a unified voice for the aerospace industry.

"Today, Washington's aerospace industry is strong and growing," said Larsen, who, along with Reardon, welcomed the group to Snohomish County. "It is important to both the state and the nation, as it employs more than 100,000 people and represents one of the bright spots in our trade balance. However, we can't take it for granted. Aerospace needs constant support from its member companies, related stakeholders and the public so that those of us in the public policy arena can continue to push successfully for an environment in which the industry can grow and prosper."

Robert Watt, vice president of community and government relations for The Boeing Company, emceed the breakfast, introducing prominent members who had positive experience in working through the AFA.

Mike Zubovic, vice president for finance with Goodrich Aviation Technical Services, said, "Working through the AFA, we are able to get concrete results and be a part of a broader effort to support the industry. We are pleased to be a part of this alliance and know our industry will continue to benefit from the AFA's work in the future."

Noting the broad sweep of the industry, which includes small and large companies, manufacturers, service providers and air transportation firms, Joe Sprague, staff vice president of public and government affairs for Alaska Airlines, said, "We're excited about the Aerospace Futures Alliance because, as the names says, this organization is based on building foundations today to ensure the future viability for aerospace and aviation business in Washington state."

The AFA's next step, according to Lanham, is to form working committees that will help plan for communications and legislative efforts during the 2007 session. Five committees are being formed, focusing on taxation and finance, workforce education, public infrastructure needs, global competitiveness and economic development.