IDAA Annual Event 2017 – Idaho Aerospace Alliance

Idaho Aerospace Alliance Reveals New Branding, New Board Members, and Regional Collaboration Efforts
(BOISE, Idaho — Nov. 8, 2017) The Idaho Aerospace Alliance (IDAA), formerly known as IDA announced the official, rebranding as the IDAA, announced newly elected board members and shared opportunities for companies to collaborate at their annual member meeting on November 3, 2017 hosted by IDAA member Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) in Boise Idaho. Approximately 40 representatives of aerospace companies and supporting agencies from all over Idaho and even as far as Tennessee gathered for the meeting at ASU.

The IDAA voting members formerly elected Homy Panahi as the board president and he addressed the crowd gathered at the annual meeting. “For many years, I have been in business and it is great to see the collaborative efforts taking place that will position Idaho as a leader in Aerospace. As a 70-year old entrepreneur, I have experienced growth in business and have seen how collaboration can help entire regions and industries grow. In less than one year our IDAA membership has nearly doubled. It is encouraging to see that our membership is now enabling companies to position themselves as not only leaders in the aviation industry not only in the Pacific Norwest but also throughout the world.”

At the annual meeting, Lieutenant Governor Brad Little and Idaho Senator Marv Hagedorn spoke to the IDAA members about the potential F-35 Lightning II aircraft mission and the power of shifting the Idaho economy into the future with advancements in the industry. Motivational speaker and author Rocky Detwiler of Sampson Life spoke about the power of words. The event was made possible with the generous support of gold sponsor, Sampson Life and silver sponsor, Aerocet Aerospace Manufacturing.

“Idaho has a lot of competitive advantages in this arena. We have a talented workforce, proximity to markets and aircraft manufacturers on the West Coast and Asia, and a high quality of life that is attractive to entrepreneurs and growing companies,” said Lt. Governor Little. “The aerospace sector provides the high paying careers that we want to continue to grow and attract to Idaho.”

One new member that joined the IDAA and attended the annual event was Branding Iron, an aviation marketing, advertising and public relations firm with more than a decade of experience in the aviation business. “I worked with some of the board members and saw the strength of the IDAA earlier this year at the Paris Air Show,” said Branding Iron Co-Founder Scott Emerine. “The IDAA and the state of Idaho’s Commerce Department work extremely hard to promote business growth and success, and we are honored to be a part of the IDAA. We look forward to working with the IDAA and the great companies in Idaho.”

Idaho Department of Commerce employee Sarah Massie was re-elected as the Secretary of the IDAA Board. Her efforts for the Idaho Department of Commerce enabled members of the IDAA to network with businesses in Spain and France and planned trade missions are scheduled for Asia and Europe in the future.

“I have the honor of working for great leaders in the Idaho Department of Commerce and now have the privilege of serving the IDAA again as it continues to grow and flourish,” said Massie. “We have new board members, new volunteers and numerous events that are planned. We are well positioned to become one of the strongest aerospace alliances in the nation.”
“It was great to host the annual meeting and to network with other aviation companies in Idaho,” said ASU President Jim Winkel. “It is fascinating to see the diversity of members, the strengths of their companies and the total capabilities of the IDAA members when you cluster them together. I am looking forward to furthering collaboration.”

For a complete list of board members, to learn more about the IDAA, or for membership details, visit, www.idaero.org.