Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch has been selected as the new Chair of the Aerospace States Association (ASA). ASA is the voice of aerospace and aviation in the states, bringing together government, business, and education to cooperate on workforce, job creation, science/technology/engineering/math (STEM) education, and global competitiveness.
“Aviation and aerospace are two industries poised for explosive growth in the near future, and the states are leading the way to maximize this potential,” said Lt. Governor Kleefisch. “Whether through university-based research, entrepreneurship incubators, or STEM workforce pipelines, states like Wisconsin are invested in the success of these industries. Working together through ASA, we can enhance our impact and ensure that American companies continue to lead the world in the skies and space.”
“As outgoing chair of ASA, I can’t think of anyone more qualified to lead this national organization than Lt. Governor Kleefisch,” said Lt. Governor John Sanchez of New Mexico, who hosted the 2017 annual meeting last week. “Her dedication to job creation, education, and preparing the next generation of workers and innovators is second to none. The ASA will only grow and be more successful under her leadership.”
Charlie Huettner, ASA’s executive director, commented, “I am excited to be working under Lt. Governor Kleefisch’s leadership to expand state support for aerospace. She is a dynamic leader who has been aggressively growing aerospace manufacturing in Wisconsin and across the country as chair of ASA’s manufacturing committee. She will now lead ASA’s efforts to expand aerospace economic opportunities, growing the aerospace workforce of the future and ASA’s chapters across the country.”
Lt. Governor Kleefisch has been active in ASA since taking office in 2011, and has served as vice chair for the past year. She hosted the 2016 national meeting of the ASA, bringing delegates from across the country to Milwaukee and Oshkosh for several days of meetings alongside EAA AirVenture. This continues the Lt. Governor’s long-standing commitment to Wisconsin’s aviation and aerospace industries, including activities with Carthage College, UW-Madison, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, and numerous Wisconsin aviation and aerospace associations and companies. Lt. Governor Kleefisch works closely with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to maximize the jobs impact of her initiatives in the aerospace sector.
