Pierce County Hosts 2nd Aerospace Summit

Pierce County’s second Aerospace Summit will offer valuable updates from experts in manufacturing technology and workforce training as the region continues its push for a larger stake in the global market.

The summit, which features a presentation by Boeing’s manager for workforce development, will be held July 17 at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. Participants can register at www.edbtacomapierce.org.

The summit is co-hosted by Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy and the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB). Last year’s inaugural summit connected 150 people representing aerospace suppliers, government agencies, banks and schools.

“Pierce County is home to a Boeing plant and more than 80 companies that work in the aerospace supply chain,” Executive McCarthy said. “We will continue to connect companies with each other and with the community resources that can help them compete for the production of tens of thousands of airplanes that are needed in the coming years. There is room for this industry to grow in Pierce County.”

One of the featured speakers will be Michelle Burreson, who leads Boeing’s Workforce Development team supporting manufacturing and quality for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The summit is just one piece of Pierce County’s strengthening aerospace strategy.

McCarthy and EDB President and CEO Bruce Kendall will join Gov. Jay Inslee’s Washington State delegation at the Paris Air Show in June. McCarthy and Kendall will focus on marketing Pierce County to aerospace firms from around the world to recruit them to open facilities here or to introduce them to key contacts in the area’s supply chain. 

McCarthy is also the Co-Chair of the Tacoma Pierce Aerospace Partners, a group comprised of local business leaders, policy makers and experts in workforce training and higher education.  The group is co-chaired by EDB Vice President Chris Green. 

“There has never been a more important time for us to focus on this industry,” Green said. “Boeing is preparing to make a decision on the location for final assembly of the 777X, and global demand for commercial air travel is growing. Pierce County has a high level of coordination among policy makers, businesses and workforce development leaders. The Aerospace Summit is designed to build on that collaboration.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Green, Economic Development Board vice president
(253) 383-4726
chris@edbtacomapierce.org

Hunter George, Pierce County Communications director
253-798-6606
hgeorge@co.pierce.wa.us