News

Wichita Aero Club Trophy Gala Will Include Kansas Fourth District Congressman Mike Pompeo

January 20, 2012 2:03pm

Local Lawmaker will participate in presentation of annual award to Jeff Turner at January 28 Gala

The Wichita Aero Club has announced that Congressman Mike Pompeo from Kansas’ Fourth District will be the keynote speaker and participate in the presentation of the Club’s second annual trophy to Spirit AeroSystems and its chief executive officer Jeff Turner. Spirit and Mr. Turner were selected by the Club’s Selection Committee to receive the 2011 award from among seven nominees. The trophy will be presented at the organization’s second annual Trophy Gala at the Wichita Airport Hilton on the evening of Saturday, January 28, 2012.

“Congressman Pompeo is an ideal choice for our keynote speaker since, for nearly a decade, he was a supplier to what is now Spirit AeroSystems,” noted Dave Franson, Wichita Aero Club Executive Director. “He knows the people, the business environment and the challenges faced Jeff Turner and the employees of Spirit as they made the transition to an independent company because he worked along side them at Thayer Aerospace and faced similar challenges as he and his partners built that business.”

Mr. Pompeo will be part of a program that will also include a video highlighting Spirit’s success and growth as well as the company’s significant contributions to the local community. In just six years Spirit has grown to become the commercial air transport industry’s design/build provider of choice. The company has expanded internationally, grown its markets, established new sites, added numerous employees, both in Wichita and elsewhere and continued to explore ways to retain jobs in the local community and surrounding areas, even opening a sub-assembly facility in Chanute, Kansas rather than opting for outsourcing the work to another country.

“Obviously, we look forward to an exciting and enjoyable event on the 28th of January with Congressman Pompeo and the local aviation community honoring Jeff and Spirit AeroSystems,” Franson added. Space is still available for individual attendees as well as those who may wish to purchase a table of ten for the celebration.

The WAC Trophy is awarded annually to a living person, group, or existing organization with a strong relationship to the greater Wichita area, who have distinguished him,her or themselves in the field of aviation or aerospace within the most recent calendar year or during a cumulative career of significant achievements and contributions. The Wichita Aero Club was established in 2008 to foster and promote interest in aviation, provide a forum focused on the industry’s issues and achievements and bring together those with a passion for flight in an environment that expands and enhances professional relationships and furthers cooperation and understanding.
For more information on the Wichita Aero Club, the January 28 Gala or other Wichita Aero Club events, call 316-681-4491 or visit the WAC website at www.wichitaaeroclub.org.