Rose State College Attends Aerospace Advocacy Day at State Capitol Published April 26, 2024

Oklahoma hosted the annual “AERO Oklahoma Aviation, Aerospace and Defense Day” at the state capitol, spotlighting the state's flourishing aviation, aerospace, and defense sector. This year's event featured more than 60 exhibitor booths and drew over 1,000 attendees, including 300 students and 200 military personnel. Esteemed speakers at the event included Speaker Charles McCall, Col. Abigail Ruscetta from Tinker Air Force Base, Greg Emerson of American Airlines, Commander John Herrington, the first Native American in space, and air and space historian Bill Moore. 

Rose State College participated in the event, engaging with students, parents, and industry leaders about the College’s workforce development pathways. RSC staff members in attendance included Dean of Workforce Development Whitney Alvis, Director of K-12 Initiatives Matthew Weinrich, Director of Small Business Development Center Ethan Biller, Environmental Training Assistant Rose Ignacio, and Director of Workforce Programs Chelsea Hunt. 

Organized by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, the annual event aims to recognize Oklahoma’s aviation, aerospace, and defense sector as a crucial economic driver for the state. As the state's second-largest industry, aerospace and defense significantly impacts the lives of Oklahomans. Attendees represented various sectors, including members of Oklahoma’s military, industry leaders, private and commercial pilots, airport managers, municipal officials, drone pilots, educators, flying clubs, and users of the Oklahoma Airport System. The event provided an opportunity to engage one-on-one with state legislators and other elected officials to advocate for Oklahoma’s robust aerospace heritage and highlight the state's global leadership in aviation, aerospace, and defense. 

Special presentations during this year’s event included those from American Airlines, alongside the Oklahoma Air and Space Forces Association, Oklahoma City Innovation District, Oklahoma Defense Industry Association, Oklahoma Commerce, Oklahoma Transportation, Oklahoma CareerTech, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, Critical Components, Consolidated Turbine Specialists - a Kratos Company, Gilchrist Aviation Law, and the Oklahoma National Guard. 

Oklahoma ACES, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce focused on the retention and expansion of the aerospace & defense sector in the state, hosted its annual meeting during the event.