Brian Ward
Brian Ward, director of business development at Jewell Instruments in Manchester, is the vice chairman of the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium.
Now in its fourth year, NHADEC is unique – it’s one of the only export consortia in the country. Members, from the large primes to the smallest specialized shops, work together, offering advice and leveraging experience that raises New Hampshire’s aerospace and defense profile around the world.
Its 3rd annual networking event is happening June 15 and Ward talks about NHADEC and the importance of bringing this industry together.
What is the New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense Export Consortium?
NHADEC is a consortium of businesses and organizations working in the aerospace and defense sector. It is the first industry-specific export consortium in the US and it supports of one of the fastest growing sectors not only in New Hampshire, but in the world. NHADEC provides a forum for the industry to strengthen the local supply-chain and to increase global market access. It is focused on fostering the most opportune foreign markets through collaborative efforts and global brand messaging.
It was created in 2013 in partnership with the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development and quickly signed 35 members. Today, there are nearly 100 members from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio and Utah and corporate sponsorship from BAE Systems, GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. Since its creation, NHADEC has provided programs and resources for its membership, such as trade shows, marketing forums, media coverage, market intelligence, networking opportunities, training, compliance assistance, mentoring, research and development and new market development assistance.
In 2015, the consortium received non-profit organization status and held the first New Hampshire Aerospace and Defense conference to bring together the local supply-chain. Last year, NHADEC was recognized as a ‘state initiative that really took off’ by NH Business Review and held its first NHADEC Showcase at BAE Systems in Nashua.
NHAD 2016
Why Is NHAD now a member networking event and not a
After the first two NHAD conferences in 2015 and 2016, members said they wanted to have more face time with each other, so this year’s occasion is touted as the NHAD 2017 Networking Event, which is being sponsored by The Provident
It is going to include trade representatives from Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland, India and we expect a few more. Resource organizations on hand will include IHS Markit/Jane’s and the New Hampshire World Affairs
Roger Zakheim, a visiting fellow of the American Enterprise Institute and partner of Covington & Burling LLP, will be the keynote speaker, assessing President Trump’s military rebuild and its impact on the defense industrial complex. Zakheim is a former deputy staff director/general counsel, Armed Services Committee, U.S. House of Representatives and a former deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Defense.
Can I come to NHAD ‘17?
If you have an interest in the aerospace and defense industry, then yes, you are very welcome to join us. Most of the companies registered are aerospace and defense enterprises that develop products and technologies for the industry. We also expect various service providers supporting these companies, such as insurance providers, legal services and marketing developers.
Why is the aerospace/defense industry relevant to New Hampshire?
This sector is among the fastest growing industries in both the U.S. and New Hampshire. Here in New Hampshire, there are close to 350 aerospace and defense companies, like BAE Systems, L-3, Elbit and smaller tier businesses, which employ about 60,000 people, whose average salary is about $90,000. This industry also contributes 9.5 percent to New Hampshire’s manufacturing GDP and 2.6 percent of its total GDP.
Since the aerospace and defense sector is so vital to the state’s economy, events such as NHAD 2017 help forge new partnerships, growth and opportunities.
What are the details I need to know to
This free event will be held from 5:30 – 8 pm, June 15, at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. You can register here or contact Dawn Wivell.