America’s aerospace industry is looking to hire tens of thousands of people trained in engineering and technical fields, according to former Air Force general George K. Muellner, (right) president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).

 

Muellner, who also recently retired as a senior executive of Boeing, spoke to a joint meeting in November of the Southern California Aeronautic Assn. and area members of AIAA. It was the first joint meeting held by the two organizations and included the award by SCAA of its annual scholarships to students working toward careers in aeronautics.

 

At the beginning of 2008, the U.S. aeronautic industry was short 32,000 people in engineering and technical positions, Muellner told the audience. “More than one fourth of the current industry workforce will retire within the coming five years,” he said. “We need to rekindle the enthusiasm for aerospace.”

 

Ten scholarship winners were introduced to the audience of 70 at the Flight Path Learning Center by John Durant, chair of the SCAA Scholarship Committee.

 

SCAA members at the meeting re-elected Bill Withycombe to a three-year term on the Board of Directors. At the end of 2008, three longtime members will retire from the Board: Jack Broome, Ken Headon and Keith Mew. The Board elected officers for 2009: Nissen Davis, president; Jim Ragsdale, vice president; Richard Moon, treasurer; and Ramona Cox, secretary.