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Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.  Mary Simmerman has worked for just about every aerospace company in America in one nature or another – as a result of mergers and acquisitions or independent job moves –over the past 30 years.
Simmerman started her career with Grumman Aerospace in the 1970s in a company-wide procurement training program. Five years later, when the commercial airplane business was booming, McDonnell Douglas recruited her to Long Beach, Calif. There, she witnessed the birth of the MD-80, one of the modern era's workhorse airliners. What followed in the next 25 years was a series of roles on military and commercial programs in subcontracts, operations, business management at various headquarters. Her projects ranged from assignments on the development of the B2, the resurrection of the B-1(B), T-45 Goshawk first flight, and the turn-around of the C-17. Today, Simmerman is the senior vice president of supply chain for Textron's Bell Helicopter division. From this perch atop the supply chain, Simmerman sees a perfect storm brewing for aerospace suppliers. With unprecedented demand in many segments of both the defense sector and the commercial sector – especially commercial airplanes and the rotorcraft business – first, second and third tier suppliers are taking on considerable responsibility. "The cycles of learning required during this growth spurt is unprecedented," Simmerman said. "The AIA associate members are the greatest source of innovative ideas, products and processes. The association provides a valuable forum for sharing that knowledge. "The AIA Supplier Management Council, through its membership, plays a significant role in promoting the long-term vitality of the aerospace industrial base." Simmerman took over as the SMC chairwoman in January 2008, but she has watched over the past four years as the council matured to the point where it provides valuable information and access to the prime contractors and other associate members. "We have a great opportunity and a responsibility to help influence outcomes in all the issues facing our industry: export control modernization, aerospace workforce renewal, acquisition process modernization, national security space, air system transformation, environment, civil aviation and space. "It is our goal to ensure that the council stays focused on education and communication and influences legislation that enables growth of commerce."
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