Editor ’ s
While planning the editorial for each issue of West Virginia Executive ( WVE ), our team tries to cover industries and topics that are of vital importance to the state ’ s business community such as health care , energy , manufacturing , development , education , research and technology , to name a few .
When we decided to focus on the aerospace industry as a main theme for the first time in the Fall 2020 issue , I must admit I was unaware of just how significant aerospace is in West Virginia . Through extensive outreach , research and interviews over the past few months , I have learned that — in addition to well-known institutions like NASA ’ s high-profile Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility — the Mountain State is home to seven commercial airports , 17 general aviation airports , more than 10 aerospace-related degree programs , numerous top-tier aerospace manufacturers and a Federal Aviation Administration-approved CFR Part 141 professional flight program . I also learned that this industry generates more than $ 1 billion in annual economic impact for
West Virginia — a true hidden gem . With titans like Pratt & Whitney , Northrop Grumman and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries — formerly Bombardier Inc .— aerospace is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the state ’ s economy .
How could I expect anything less from the state that gave birth to the likes of Chuck Yeager , the first person to break the sound barrier , and Katherine Johnson , whose math was used to enable astronauts to orbit the Earth and land on the moon ? For a look at just how expansive West Virginia ’ s aerospace industry is , check out “ West Virginia ’ s Aerospace Industry ” on page 72 .
Just when I thought this issue couldn ’ t get any more exciting , Virgin Hyperloop announced it had chosen West Virginia to be the home of its safety certification center — a true gamechanger for Almost Heaven . Hyperloop is a theoretical , high-speed transportation system that will travel more than 600 miles per hour , and the certification center will play a huge role in shifting it from research and development to reality . You can read more about it in “ Revolutionizing Transportation from Almost Heaven ” on page 93 .
Big things are on the horizon for the Mountain State as we continue to find unique ways to diversify and move forward , and the team at WVE is excited to play a role in telling that story . •
Samantha Cart Editor in Chief
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