News

Congressman Austria Addresses National Aerospace Consortium Conference in Springfield

Leaders from Industry, Government and Academia Convened for Program Review

08/20/09

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO (August 20, 2009) – Congressman Steve Austria (R-OH 7) addressed the National Aerospace Leadership Initiative (NALI) Consortium when they convened in Springfield today for its annual NALI Program Review. During a luncheon, Austria addressed guests from industry, academia and government, as well as consortium members, including Avetec, Inc. of Springfield, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) of East Hartford, CT, and Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) of Johnson, PA.

“It is crucial to our national security to ensure the United States’ continued leadership in aerospace technology,” said Austria. “Together, these organizations are helping us develop advanced manufacturing technologies and supply chain solutions that support our military and the aerospace industry and bring jobs and prosperity to our community.”

The NALI Program Review is held each year and focuses on the applied research advancements made through the NALI Program. Sessions offered by all three consortium member organizations included Modeling and Simulation technologies, Advancements in Laser Technology, Metal Working Technologies, Improving Collaboration and Teaming, Enhancing Warfighter Technologies, Engine Health Management, and Challenges in Modeling & Simulation, including F35 Engine-Gear Modeling, Lube Oil & Bearing, Turbomachinery Gridding and Multidisciplinary Design and Optimization.

The session concluded with a session on “Looking to the Future” presented by Dr. Robert Shaw, Chief of New Business and Partnership Program, NASA Glenn and Dr. Mike Heil, CEO of the Ohio Aerospace Institute.

“Avetec is proud to be part of a consortium of organizations in areas central to the aerospace industry,” said Homer Smith, CEO of Avetec. “NALI has helped our American aerospace industry collaborate more effectively on our common challenges and share best practices in modeling and simulation and supply chain optimization that ultimately will allow us to be more competitive on a global scale.”

The National Aerospace Leadership Initiative (NALI) has been created to respond to the critical needs of the U.S. aerospace manufacturing supply chain and help the U.S. maintain leadership in advanced propulsion and power systems, as well as remain innovative in the competitive domestic aerospace manufacturing supply structure, in order to meet the needs of the Department of Defense. The National Aerospace Leadership Initiative is funded by a Congressional appropriation and is currently in its fourth round of funding.
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Media Contact: Cathy S. Balas, Avetec, 937-287-6507;

Christin O’Brien, Congressman Steve Austria’s Office, 202-225-4324
Scott Corbitt, Congressman Steve Austria’s Office, 937-325-0474