Chad Causey has been named the first executive director of the Arkansas Aerospace Alliance, the nonprofit organization announced Thursday.
The organization began in 2006 as a Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission task force and was organized into the alliance in November of last year by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.
Causey, a Jonesboro native, is a former Democratic candidate for Congress from the 1st District and a former chief of staff to Rep. Marion Berry, who retired from his 1st District seat in 2010.
Causey is a senior associate and counsel with Little Rock governmental affairs firm Noble Strategies. Previously, he practiced law in Jonesboro. His work on the Berry staff focused heavily on transportation and infrastructure issues.
In a news release, Causey said he was looking forward to helping make the alliance a centralized voice for the aviation and aerospace industries in Arkansas and promoting industry growth and educational opportunities. Specifically, he said he wanted to work with the state’s colleges and universities to recruit and train workers for the aerospace industry.
“New aerospace industries will choose to locate in Arkansas based on our ability to provide an educated and well-prepared workforce,” Causey said. “Our outstanding workforce is one of the many reasons why companies like Dassault Falcon Jet have settled in Arkansas.”
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission reports roughly 180 aviation and aerospace companies in the state employing more than 9,000.
The alliance board includes Bob East, president; Luis Planas, first vice president; Tony Johnson, second vice president, and Rog Rogers, secretary/treasurer.