National Aviation Day: New Aerospace Manufacturing and Aviation Careers Roadmaps Initiative Launches in the St. Louis Region

By Carmelo Turdo

National Aviation Day celebrates the achievements of the aviation industry and the birthday of its most recognized pioneer, Orville Wright. From this year forward, it will also be known as the rollout of the Aerospace Manufacturing and Aviation Careers Roadmaps now available on the St. Louis Regional Freightway website. The roadmaps were developed through a year-long initiative by the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force to provide a comprehensive view of the opportunities available to job seekers attaining high school, trade school, undergraduate and advanced degree education and training levels. These resources were made available through the task force representatives from aerospace and aviation manufacturing and service businesses, training institutions, economic development groups and professional organizations who care deeply about the success of the St. Louis region.  

The St. Louis Regional Freightway, an enterprise of Bi-State Development, provides site selection and business development assistance to manufacturing, transportation and logistics companies in the City of St. Louis and seven adjacent counties in Missouri and Illinois. The St. Louis Regional Freightway has provided the leadership and staff support to complete the Roadmap project, and they continue to host events such as the Global Aerospace Summit and Take Flight Forum each year. Their Aerospace and Aviation Page provides multi-media references to these and other events held over the last several years.   

The Aerospace Manufacturing and Aviation Careers Roadmaps are conveniently located on their own page, with both career tracks available through links based on current or anticipated education and training levels. Career overviews, like the one shown at right, are also included. New Career Seeker overviews are also available for those looking for a starting point in their search. With a few clicks, anyone can begin their journey to obtaining a new, high-paying career in an expanding St. Louis area industry.

The Aero Experience is proud to be a member of the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force, providing media support and advocating for STEM education programs preparing students to enter the Talent Pipeline. For more information on the robust aerospace and aviation sector in the St. Louis region, visit the Aerospace Manufacturing and Aviation Careers Roadmaps page.

News Release: Global Aerospace Summit Showcases Industry Strengths and Potential for Future Growth in the St. Louis Region and Industrywide

[Edwardsville, IL/August 15, 2025] The strength of the St. Louis region’s aerospace and aviation sector was front and center at the inaugural Global Aerospace Summit August 13–14, which drew 400+ industry leaders, educators, government officials, workforce development experts and career seekers to the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon, Ill. The event, presented by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois in partnership with Madison County, St. Clair County, and Bi-State Development’s St. Louis Regional Freightway, spotlighted the region’s aerospace assets, its potential for continued growth and innovation and various initiatives to grow the workforce, sharing great information and ideas attendees could leverage as participants in this thriving industry.

The Summit opened with exclusive tours of West Star Aviation’s facility in East Alton, Illinois and Southwestern Illinois College’s new Advanced Center for Manufacturing in Belleville, Illinois, offering attendees a firsthand look at the advanced operations and skilled workforce driving the industry forward.  On August 14, Colonel Matthew L. Collins, Commander of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base, helped kick off the day, commenting on how impressed he was with the scale and scope of the event and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to share a little about what Scott does worldwide every day in the background as a global power projection platform. 

“What I would offer to everyone here is that Scott Air Force Base and the 375th Air Mobility Wing renew our commitment to collaborate with this region, with the representatives here, as we continue to strengthen our position as a leader in the aviation industry.”

More than 200 attendees enjoyed six dynamic panel discussions that explored key themes including workforce development, sustainable aviation, public-private partnerships, education-industry collaboration, government contracting and regional expansion strategies. Panelists shared insights on training initiatives, recruitment efforts by leading aerospace companies expanding in the region, bioeconomy innovations and best practices for engaging with government agencies and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

L to R: Kyle Anderson, Executive Director & CEO, Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois; Rick Stubblefield, Executive Director, Intergovernmental Grants Department, St. Clair County, Ill.; St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern; Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski; Illinois Governor JB Pritzker; Christy George, President and CEO of Intersect Illinois; Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises, Bi-State Development, and Tony Fuhrmann, Director of Employment and Training for Madison County

Governor JB Pritzker was one of several state and local officials who spoke at the Summit. “This Summit being here in the Metro East is fitting because of all of what already exists here. Giants like Boeing and Gulfstream and West Star Aviation have made a home here. Scott Air Force Base, my goodness, just down the road, it's a pillar of the community,” said Pritzker.  “The aerospace industry is one of the most important for the state. We're putting our shoulder to the wheel to make sure that that's beneficial to you. Everything we're doing is beneficial to the industry and I just want to assure you that it [the industry] is on the rise across the state of Illinois.”

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski stated, “From the manufacturing floor to the airfields, aviation touches communities across my district, creating jobs, driving investment and growing the next generation of aviation workforce right here at home. The aviation sector isn't just about moving people and goods—it's about moving our economy across our state.”

St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern highlighted the remarkable growth of the aerospace and aviation sector in St. Clair County in recent years and the importance of Scott Air Force Base. “We cannot overstate the vital role Scott Air Force Base plays in the nation and as the largest employer in Southwestern Illinois and one of the largest in the region,” Kern said. 

Christy George, President and CEO of Intersect Illinois, provided additional insight on the strength of the aerospace industry from a statewide perspective. “The aerospace and defense sector is evolving at unprecedented speed and Illinois stands ready to be the place where that future takes shape,” said George. “So why Illinois for aerospace and defense? The short answer is that Illinois offers one of the nation's most competitive and connected aerospace ecosystems.”

The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) successfully hosted its Supplier Matchmaking Program as part of the Summit. The program facilitated targeted, one-on-one networking opportunities connecting Illinois manufacturers with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) actively seeking new suppliers. The event fostered high-value business connections, with pre-scheduled, private meetings enabling participants to address immediate sourcing needs while building the foundation for long-term partnerships.

“Supplier Matchmaking isn’t just about introductions—it’s about creating purposeful connections that strengthen supply chains and open new opportunities,” said David Boulay, Ph.D., President of IMEC. “By aligning OEM needs with Illinois manufacturing capabilities, we help both sides achieve results faster and more efficiently.”

Several firms and local airports also took advantage of the opportunity to exhibit at the Summit. “We’re very excited about the opportunity to be a part of this first Global Aerospace Summit,” said John Goldsmith, marketing coordinator at Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. “Obviously, aerospace is a huge part of our economy in the metro area, and we certainly would like to be a part of that conversation as a general contractor. You figure there’s a lot of opportunities for us to partner with either the airports or some of the other players in the aviation industry—if there’s some construction opportunities there for us, that’s great. We’ve made some fantastic connections here today. It’s been an awesome summit for us and a wonderful event.”

A career fair, hosted in partnership with Scott Air Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center, connected well over 100 job seekers with aerospace employers, opportunities in the military, educational institutions and other firms actively supporting the aerospace and aviation sectors in the St. Louis region.

“Beyond highlighting the entire region’s robust aerospace and defense ecosystem and nationally recognized public-private partnerships, this Summit also opened new doors for collaboration and growth,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development. “It was a powerful platform for companies, educators, and workforce leaders who want to be part of the future of this vibrant industry sector.”

Tony Fuhrmann, Director of Employment and Training for Madison County, Ill., helped close out the program. “I think it’s become very clear over the past couple of days that the aerospace and aviation industries are thriving in counties throughout Southwestern Illinois and across the bi-state area; and this summit has really helped to underscore the impressive strength of this ecosystem in the St. Louis region. I hope you’ve all had a wonderful two days with us and learned a lot that you can take away to advance your own organizations,” said Fuhrmann.

Kyle Anderson, Executive Director & CEO of the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois, commented on the success of the inaugural event. “We’re thrilled with the attendance and with the positive feedback received from so many of those who joined us,” said Anderson. “This Summit is firmly established as a premier event in the aviation industry and we look forward to hosting our 2nd Annual Global Aerospace Summit in mid-August 2026.”

To learn more about the Global Aerospace Summit, visit https://leadershipcouncilswil.com/gas2025/

Media Contact: Julie Hauser

314-629-3887 (cell)

Red Tail Cadets Class Five Honored with Graduation Ceremony at Elite Aviation

By Carmelo Turdo

Six high school students from the Ferguson-Florissant School District were honored as Class Five of the Red Tail Cadet Program during a graduation ceremony held on Thursday evening, July 31, at Elite Aviation. The event marked the culmination of eight weeks of flight training and life skills coaching received as part of their overall Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. 

The Red Tail Cadet Program Class Five (L-R): Attiona Umana, Yelena Dominguez-Stremmel, Ameria Turner, Laila Williams, Jenae Patterson and Mackenzie Mansaray

The Red Tail Cadet Program is a cooperative effort by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, The Crossing Church, and Elite Aviation among other sponsors to use aviation as a pathway to a STEM career. The program is named for the Red Tails of the 332nd Fighter Group, the first all-black military pilot unit that formed during World War II and popularly known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. The same drive and talent that made the Tuskegee Airmen legendary in war and in peace can be applied by these students in pursuit of their own future goals while participating in the Red Tail Cadet Program.

The evening began with the arrival of Greg Vallero in his AT-6 Texan, which he generously provided as the backdrop for the ceremony. The Texan is similar to those flown by the Tuskegee Airmen during their advanced flight training in World War II, and hundreds remain flying with civilian owners throughout the world. Here we include a sample of the many group photos taken of the Cadets with program founder Pastor Anthony Meyers and the Elite Aviation staff. 

The ceremony began with a series of messages from representatives of the sponsoring organizations who worked tirelessly throughout the year to make the Red Tail Cadet Program possible. Included here are The Crossing Church Pastor Anthony Meyers, Elite Aviation Owner John Tipton and Brandon Mann of the Mann Family Foundation.    

Following the sponsor presentations, the Red Tail Cadets reflected on the program's Six Pillars of Leadership: Honor, Honesty, Legacy, Integrity, Commitment and Respect. Each Red Tail Cadet from Class Five was then awarded a framed graduation certificate along with a Proclamation from St. Louis County, represented here by Spirit of St. Louis Airport Director John Bales, naming July 31, 2025, for each of the Cadets by name.

The Cadets, along with their families and friends, gathered around the aircraft for more photos as the sun set. The Aero Experience thanks Elite Aviation, The Crossing Church and all of the sponsors for supporting the Red Tail Cadet Program again this year!

Air Race Classic Team 38, Penguin Power, Makes Impressive Finish at Air Race Classic

By Carmelo Turdo

The 2025 Air Race Classic ran June 17-20 involving teams from across the country flying from Fairhope, AL to Spokane, WA with intermediate navigation points at airports along the way. Samy-Rae Strausbaugh, a CFII/MEI at St. Louis-based Piston Aviation, flew the race with Elizabeth Menozzi in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk as Team 38, Penguin Power, on this recent cross-country adventure. Piston Aviation was a major sponsor of Team 38, and Strausbaugh can be seen often instructing her students in Piston's Tomark Viper fleet training aircraft based at Creve Coeur Airport.

(ARC graphic)

The Air Race Classic is an all-female aviation event that continues the tradition of the Golden Age air races using current flight standards to promote opportunities for women pilots. It is not the wind in your hair speed dash of yesteryear, but a true test of flight planning, navigation and in-flight decision-making as teams plot their course to each waypoint. The teams compete against the speed handicap for their actual aircraft, with the results depending more on precision and adaptability than sheer speed.

The 2025 Air Race Classic results are in, and Team 38 placed eighth of eighteen teams in the Competition Class. They averaged 111.588mph compared to the 124.800mph handicap speed, with an elapsed flight time of 16:40:22.065 hours. Yes, it's that precise! Other team classes included Non-Competition and Intercollegiate. 

The Aero Experience met with Samy-Rae Strausbaugh at the Piston Aviation Live Studio prior to her departure for the race, and then again after her return. Here we feature some photos she provided along with our post-race interview video below.