State Strategies Committee on Aerospace

The NLGA Aerospace Committee, bipartisanly comprised of lieutenant governors and their appointees, provides national leadership on aerospace, aviation, and defense policy in the states and territories.

About the Aerospace Committee

The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) launched the NLGA State Strategies Committee on Aerospace in 2025, a national body to advance aerospace, aviation, and defense policy in the states and territories.

The Aerospace Committee was created by the NLGA Executive Committee. Members of NLGA are the lieutenant governors and seconds-in-command in the 55 U.S. states and territories.

Approximately half of NLGA Members preside over the senate, and Members otherwise steer state/territorial government through their constitutional and statutory duties, as well as through personal initiatives and governors’ assignments. Several lieutenant governors serve in leadership roles shaping policies that impact the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries.

Aerospace in the States and Territories

The aerospace and defense industry supports communities in all 50 states, employing more than 2.2 million people across the country and bringing in almost $19 billion in state and local tax receipts (Aerospace Industries Association, 2023).

Aerospace, aviation, and defense are rapidly evolving industries that present dynamic challenges and opportunities that can benefit from strong state-to-state collaboration. States and territories are instrumental in advancing aerospace by shaping policy, enacting legislation, and fostering partnerships across key areas such as workforce development, economic growth, supply chain resilience, manufacturing and production, defense communities, research and innovation, regulatory frameworks, and more.

NLGA State-Federal Exchange on Aerospace: June 1-2, 2026

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MARK THE DATES to join the NLGA Aerospace Committee for the NLGA State-Federal Exchange on Aerospace, June 1-2, 2026, in Washington, D.C.! Click here for more details.

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NLGA invites NLGA Members (lieutenant governors, seconds-in-command), Aerospace Committee Members, staff, Affiliates, and sponsors to attend!

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Interested in supporting the work of the Aerospace Committee? Contact Kellie Rittershausen for industry opportunities, including the Aerospace Affiliates Program and convening sponsorships.

Aerospace Committee Members

The NLGA Aerospace Committee is comprised of NLGA Members (lieutenant governors, seconds-in-command) and their public/governmental appointees.

Support the Committee: Join the Aerospace Affiliates Program

The NLGA Aerospace Affiliates Program is an opportunity for the private sector, corporations, nonprofits, associations, and other entities to collaborate and share their industry expertise with NLGA and the members of the Aerospace Committee.

Read the Launch Announcement

The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) Launches “State Strategies Committee on Aerospace” (August 2025)

Lt. Governors/NLGA Members: Submit your appointees to NLGA!

The NLGA Aerospace Committee will regularly convene lieutenant governors and state/territorial leaders to discuss aerospace policy, engage with public/private/governmental entities leading in aerospace, and give a voice to the states in advancing aerospace, aviation, and defense. Through your appointing authority as lieutenant governor/Member of NLGA, YOU have the opportunity to appoint TWO representatives from your state/territory to serve on this Aerospace Committee!

WHO SHOULD LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS APPOINT?

All NLGA Members (lieutenant governors, seconds-in-command) should appoint TWO representatives to this Committee to present your state or territory’s perspective and expertise in aerospace. One appointee can be the lieutenant governor, if you so choose.

Appointees must be in the public or government sector.
Appointees may be state legislators, expert members of the governor’s cabinet, or state leaders in aerospace/aviation.
Appointees may not be from the private sector.
Appointees should have expertise in aerospace policy, regulation, and/or collaboration.
Appointees should make every effort to attend the virtual and in-person convenings of the Aerospace Committee, including the State-Federal Exchange on Aerospace on June 1-2, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (More details to come!)

Appointees can include:

The lieutenant governor or NLGA Member (lt. governor, Senate President, Secretary of State)
Legislative leaders working on aerospace policy
Cabinet level leaders or staff (i.e., your Commerce Department’s aerospace lead; the governor’s advisor on defense/military affairs; the lead on aviation policy at the Transportation Dept., etc.)
Experts in the public or government sector advancing aerospace in your state/territory

Please contact NLGA at 859-283-1400 or kritters@nlga.us with questions.

NLGA Members on Why Aerospace?

Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, NLGA Chair 2024-2025

“As leaders in state and territorial government, lieutenant governors are uniquely positioned to advance efforts in aerospace, aviation, and defense policy. And as the national association for seconds-in-command, the NLGA-led Aerospace Committee will provide bipartisan, national leadership, facilitate collaboration, and positively impact aerospace policy nationwide.”

South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, NLGA Chair 2025-2026

“The aerospace sector is a major pillar of South Carolina’s economy, where we are home to one of the nation’s most dynamic aerospace centers and a highly-skilled workforce that excels in advanced manufacturing and innovation. I look forward to serving as 2025-2026 NLGA Chair for the inaugural year of the NLGA Aerospace Committee, bringing together engaged state leaders from across the country for bipartisan collaboration.”

Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman, NLGA Chair-Elect 2025-2026

“Kentucky ranks #3 in the country in total aerospace exports, and Kentucky is the only state in the country with two cargo freight airports that rank in the top 10 (Louisville International and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International). The projected growth in Kentucky’s aerospace and aviation industries present unique challenges and opportunities in growing a skilled workforce, and I look forward to the NLGA Aerospace Committee dialogue on education and career training opportunities to support an aerospace workforce.”

Nevada Lt. Governor Stavros Anthony, NLGA Treasurer 2025-2026

“Nevada has a long history as a leader in research, design, and development of technologies for defense, and we are home to Nellis Air Force Base, Creech Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Fallon and the Hawthorne Army Depot, as well as several commercial aerospace companies and research entities. I look forward to the opportunity to share Nevada’s aerospace and defense perspective with my peer lieutenant governors.”

Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Aerospace Committee Board

“The NLGA Aerospace Committee is an opportunity for state leaders in aerospace, aviation, and defense to come together to collaborate on best practices and innovations. I look forward to bringing the Louisiana perspective to the Committee, sharing our state’s success in advancing U.S. aerospace and defense capabilities, supporting high-growth aviation companies and defense contractors, and offering the infrastructure and workforce that these industries demand.”

North Carolina Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt, Aerospace Committee Board

“As the birthplace of aviation and the #1 largest manufacturing workforce in the southeast U.S., North Carolina continues to innovate and support the aerospace industry to reach new frontiers. North Carolina is home to unique assets in aviation, manufacturing, defense, research and innovation, and aerospace, and I look forward to bringing that perspective to the NLGA Aerospace Committee.”

Utah Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson, Aerospace Committee Board

“Utah is home to some of the finest military installations in the country, including Hill Air Force Base, as well as numerous aerospace, defense, and cyber companies, and several prestigious research institutions – all working with our government leaders to make Utah an international leader in these spaces. I’m proud Utah could host the inaugural convening of the NLGA Aerospace Committee, and look forward to showcasing how the successes here can inform the policy dialogue in other states and territories.”

Wisconsin Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez, Aerospace Committee Board

“Wisconsin is a national leader in advanced manufacturing, supported by many world-class research institutions and a highly skilled workforce that drives aerospace and aviation innovation at both the state and national levels. With cutting-edge research and development, our state’s pivotal role in the aerospace and aviation supply chain provides a valuable perspective that I look forward to sharing with the NLGA Aerospace Committee.”

Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Aerospace Committee Board

“Maryland is a leader in the aerospace industry, with a dense concentration of aerospace engineering talent, more than 9,000 aerospace companies, and several mission-critical federal and military agencies impacting aerospace, aviation, and defense. I look forward to bringing Maryland’s expertise and perspective to this national committee, and helping to lead state efforts to impact the advancement of aerospace policy nationally.”

Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Aerospace Committee Board

“Alabama built the rockets that sent men to the moon, and with hundreds of companies from the Tennessee line to the Gulf of Mexico, we remain the aerospace and defense capital of the world today. By combining Alabama’s unique perspective and experience in the aerospace sector with those from other states, we can grow the industry, keep it healthy, and ensure that the United States continues to be the most powerful and advanced nation that history has ever known.”