Charles H. Huettner, the executive director of the Aerospace States Association (ASA) for the past 13 years, announced his intention to retire on July 27, 2018 at ASA’s annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Huettner began as a consultant to ASA after his retirement from federal service as a senior executive at the FAA, NASA, and the White House. He ended his federal career as the executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Future of the U. S. Aerospace Industry.
Huettner was selected to become the executive director of ASA by then Oklahoma Lt. Governor Mary Fallon.
Since his selection, he worked to grow the association from five active states to over 30, conducted hearings of the Lt. Governors on aerospace issues on Capitol Hill, submitted resolutions and letters to the President and Congress on behalf of the states, created state guidelines for drone privacy along with a Vision for Space Exploration, hosted a Foreign Direct Investment Exposition with the U.S. Department of Commerce, and began the creation of state ASA chapters to educate state legislators of aerospace issues within their state.
“It has been an honor for me to serve seven Lt. Governors who have been ASA chairs and facilitate state responses to the issues and opportunities during my tenure at ASA,” said Huettner. “ASA is blessed with Lt. Governor and state delegate members that have the talent and enthusiasm to grow high paying aerospace jobs in their states and develop a workforce for the future through active STEM educational programs.
“ASA’S associate members from industry and academia involved in state chapters and at the national level provide the support, insight, and sponsorship to bring government and industry together to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. I am delighted to have been able to forge an alliance with AIA and AUVSI to be their state focus.
“I want to thank Ross Garelick Bell, Bob Mansfield, Bob Davis, and hundreds of volunteers throughout the states for making ASA a great success in supporting the aerospace industry throughout the states,” he concluded.
“Aviation and aerospace are two industries poised for explosive growth in the near future, and the states are leading the way to maximize this potential,” said Wisconsin Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, chair of ASA. “We have been very fortunate to have Charlie Huettner growing and leading our association to help states address these challenges. We thank him and wish him well.
“I plan to appoint ASA deputy executive director, Ross Garelick Bell to succeed Huettner as ASA executive director on July 27, 2018, upon Huettner’s retirement,” she said.
Huettner plans to continue his consulting practice after retiring from ASA.
