EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
TOM BROSIUS
Orion was founded in 1957 as a vocational school for students with disabilities to prepare them for competitive employment . The founders envisioned a job training program in an industrial setting that allowed trainees to learn the skills necessary to support themselves . Since 1959 , Orion , a non-profit social enterprise , has been focused on providing vocational training and services for individuals with barriers to employment , as well as providing precision metal products to the aerospace market .
As Vice-President and General Manager , Tom Brosius is in top leadership at Orion . He has managed their Aerospace Manufacturing division since 2007 . During his time with the company , Tom has led the growth of the aerospace division from four million dollars per year and 45 employees to over 40 million dollars per year and 380 employees .
He has focused on creating a competitive mindset for the company and increasing core competencies . Along with the VP of Services at Orion , Tom created and provided the training and employment services model that moved over 2,400 unemployed people from a life on subsistence to a career-based job and an independent lifestyle . With the onset of the pandemic , Tom used every available resource to support Orion ’ s employees and retain the team during the most challenging time in the history of the northwest aviation industry .
Headquartered in Auburn , Washington , with an additional facility in Mukilteo , Orion believes that everyone should have the opportunity to work and that it has a responsibility to serve its community . Orion Aerospace , the manufacturing business , supplies funding for Orion
Industries to advance its social mission and is one of the leading aerospace manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest . It provides a full suite of manufacturing services , including machined and fabricated aerospace components , assemblies , structures , wire Tom Brosius , Orion Industries harnesses and electrical panels specializing in vertical integration of products using complementary core processes . Orion Aerospace is an eight-time winner of the Boeing Performance Excellence Award and is a three-time recipient of the Boeing Supplier of the Year Award .
PNAA Board Member Paul Michaels compliments Tom ’ s commitment to the aerospace industry and describes Tom as “ a beacon of leadership and positive change .” He continues , “ Tom ’ s leadership has been nothing short of inspiring on every level . His dedicated focus on the personal and professional development of his team has created a culture of true growth and customer engagement . The great work being done at Orion is a testament in large part to that focus . He has inspired me both personally and professionally and I ’ m honored to call him an industry colleague .”
Tom holds a master ’ s degree in Industrial and Management Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from the University of Washington . He began his aerospace career in the US Air Force and managed aircraft flight line maintenance organizations . Upon retirement from the military , Tom managed manufacturing operations as the Plant Manager at Flow International in Kent , Washington pushing the leading edge of manufacturing water jet cutting systems .
In addition to his responsibilities at Orion Industries , Tom finds time to serve as a Board Member for the Aerospace Futures Alliance , a non-profit organization advocating on behalf of all aviation , space and unmanned aircraft systems businesses . Tom has previously served on the Boards of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing – Puget Sound . When not involved in aerospace endeavors , Tom , an avid boater , can be found cruising the waters of Puget Sound and the coast of British Columbia with his wife of 43 years , Sandy .
PNAA ’ s Executive of the Year Award is presented to an executive of an aerospace company located within the Pacific Northwest who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace industry .
94 NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS
PNAA ADVANCE / 2022