(Washington, DC) — At its quarterly meeting in Washington, DC on Monday, Aerospace States Association (ASA) elected Vermont Lt. Governor Brian Dubie to serve as its new chair. Dubie will take over from Alaska Lt. Governor Loren Leman, who announced in May that he would not seek re-election in 2006.
Dubie said, “I’m thrilled to assume the ASA helm from my friend Lt. Governor Loren Leman, whose outstanding leadership has given ASA a renewed sense of purpose and urgency.” Dubie pledged to be a strong voice for improved math and science education in the nation’s schools. “I am eager to advance the creation of excellent job opportunities in aviation and aerospace all across America,” Dubie stated, “and to advocate in support of America’s aerospace and aviation companies, their employees, and the many small and medium companies who make up their supply chain.”
ASA (http://www.aerostates.org) is a bi-partisan body representing the grass roots of American Aerospace. Its membership is comprised of Lieutenant Governors and Governor-appointed delegates from more than forty states. ASA promotes a state-based perspective on federal aerospace policy development, and supports state-based aerospace initiatives that enhance student/teacher education outreach and economic development opportunities.
In August, Lt. Governor Dubie launched the Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (http://www.vtaaa.com), to advance math, science and engineering education in Vermont, and to promote the expansion of good-paying jobs in aerospace and aviation that will provide math and science students with challenging careers when they are ready to enter the workforce.
“I’m excited about leveraging the strength of ASA to benefit education and economic development in Vermont,” Dubie said. “And I know that our experience in Vermont will help ASA to envision the role that aerospace and aviation play in states like ours.”
Lt. Governor Brian Dubie earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont (1982). He designed jet fuel systems and worked as a project manager at Goodrich Aerospace in Vergennes, Vermont. As a pilot in the Vermont Air National Guard, Dubie logged more than 2,500 hours in fighter aircraft (F-4 Phantom and later the F-16 Falcon). In addition to serving as Vermont’s Lt. Governor, he also flies MD-80 aircraft as a captain for American Airlines. He was first sworn in as Vermont’s Lt. Governor in January 2003.
The Aerospace States Association (ASA) conducted a hearing on October 3, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building to highlight the importance of space science to the nation’s economy and education.
