DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022 ISSUE NO . 24
CONTRIBUTORS
NORTHWEST
AEROSPACE N E W S M A G A Z I N E
Jennifer Ferrero , APR , DTM has been writing for the Northwest aerospace manufacturing industry for over 10 years . She is a long-time communications and public relations consultant and freelance writer and operates Ferrero Agency among other business development and consulting roles .
Kevin " Proton " McLaughlin is the director of U . S . Navy systems for Boeing global sales and marketing . Prior to joining Boeing , Proton was a Navy F / A-18 Hornet / Super Hornet pilot and logged more than 3900 flight hours and over 900 carrier landings . Proton was commissioned and designated a Naval Aviator in August 1993 . His sea tour assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron ( VFA ) 146 aboard USS Nimitz ( CVN 68 ), VFA-151 Training Officer aboard USS Constellation ( CV 64 ), VFA-94 Safety , Maintenance , and Operations Officer aboard USS Nimitz , and VFA-14 Commanding / Executive Officer ( CO / XO ) aboard USS John C . Stennis ( CVN 74 ). Ashore , he served as a two-time TOPGUN instructor , the Commanding Officer of TOPGUN , the Commanding Officer of STRIKE , and as the Commander of Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic , the Navy ’ s East Coast FA-18 Wing .
Nikki Malcom I have a tremendous passion for the aerospace and defense industry . Looking up into the sky and seeing the incredible machines that this industry produces , gives me immense pride .
I have spent the entire 21 years of my professional aerospace career in dynamic sales roles — supporting organizations with materials , testing and manufacturing . I established NFM Enterprises , born out of my passion for connecting others within the industry . NFM connects buyers with fast , quality manufacturing services and offers effective sales coaching and strategy .
Emily Wittman is the president / CEO of Aerospace Futures Alliance ; she is an experienced coalition builder and a demonstrated advocate for Washington communities at all legislative levels . She is skilled in public speaking , strategic planning , organizational oversight , constituent services , fundraising , and leadership with bachelor ’ s degrees in political science and law , societies and justice from the University of Washington .
Nicole Gunkle recently joined the Washington State Department of Commerce to serve as the Export Voucher Program Manager and Trade Specialist for the Consumer Goods and Professional Services industry . Prior to her current role , she worked for the State of Colorado as the STEP Director and oversaw export grant programs and outreach .
Amandine Crabtree has more than 15 years of experience in business development and marketing within the aerospace and defense industries , identifying and growing partnership opportunities to create strong business brands across an extensive industry network .
In her various roles , she has not only nurtured strong relationships with the local and national clusters , but also global concerns in Europe ( France , Germany , Belgium and the UK ) and Asia ( Japan and South Korea ), gaining a deep understanding of the complex ecosystems supplying major OEMs .
Dean Cameron is CEO of Top Drawer Media publishers of Northwest Aerospace News . He has been an aerospace marketing professional for the past 32 years with experience in engineering , design , as well as numerous manufacturing disciplines .
Patrick Sherman has experience flying in support
of firefighters , research scientists , industry and community groups . An award-winning speaker , writer and educator , he has shared his knowledge and insights around the world .
Recognized for his contributions with an individual Xcellence Award from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International ( AUVSI ), he has been quoted in the New York Times and the Washington Post as a drone expert .
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