Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, March 5, 2021

What the Aerospace Valley

learned from unimagined crisis Reader’s

by Larry Grooms all schools, both public and private, aware of the Services
special to Aerotech News internet gap. One rapid action involved creation of
hot spots for school sites and renewal of pressure How to contact
LANCASTER, Calif.—Sixty-six years after the for legislation to put computers into the hands of Aerotech News and Review
region’s leaders organized to confront economy- children in households not online. • E-Mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
killing aircraft industry shutdowns, a new genera- Moderator Michael’s second question was • Phone: (661) 945-5634
tion successor organization gathered this month to whether giving long-distance commuters the op- • Fax: (661) 723-7757
discuss the Aerospace Valley’s survival and emer- tion to work from their most affordable homes in • Website: www.aerotechnews.com
gence from a crisis nobody imagined — the global Southern California makes the Antelope Valley the
pandemic. ideal location for companies embarking on a hybrid
Leading off a two-hour ZOOM meeting seen workforce? Advertising
by individuals and small group audiences at more The question raised further questions about We never imagined the COVID-19 Pandemic. Corporate Headquarters:
than 500 pre-registered viewing locations, leaders variables involved in creating a successful hybrid What’s the next thing that we haven’t imagined? (877) 247-9288
representing a cross-section of regional institutions job model that would be acceptable to employers, To receive an online copy of the 2021 Economic Email: sbueltel@aerotechnews.com
talked about lessons learned and what may lie ahead households with two working adults and children Roundtable Report from AVEDGE visit, https://
for the health, wealth and quality of life in Ameri- who might not be in school, and homes without southstreetdigital.com/AVEDGE/ Subscriber Services
ca’s Aerospace Valley. Wi-Fi infrastructure. AVEDGE Executive Director Subscriptions to Aerotech News
Panel moderator Jeff Michael, an award-winning Rhonda Perez, who was hosting the session, said Conference sponsors by category and Review are $59 for six
television reporter and anchor for CBS Channel 2 Lancaster is working to install streetlights with Government: Antelope Valley Transit Authority, months or $89 for one year. For
and KCAL Channel 9 in Los Angeles, posed the capacity to provide digital service, and Palmdale City of Lancaster, City of Palmdale, Los Angeles more information, contact the
questions, beginning with: “What are the bright is enhancing its information transmission system. County, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, subscription department at:
spots?” Building on the observation from CompTIA Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District, (661) 945-5634
Kabir Sethi, addressing a financial industry per- executive Angel Pineiro that there is a shortage and Workforce Development Aging & Community
spective from his office in New York, said, “We can of trained IT personnel, Hansen offered the view Services
succeed in a hybrid world, which opens the possi- that “We’ve got amazing pathways and programs Aerospace Sector: Lockheed Martin Skunk Story ideas, letters, editorials
bilities for a five or six-year jump” in productivity for a lot of amazing jobs.” But he commented that Works, Northrop Grumman, Mojave Air and Space Please send all letters and editorials to
by increasing opportunities for working outside a gaps in funding and policies that diminish the value Port, and George Whitesides, Chief Space Officer Stuart A. Ibberson, editor,
traditional office. of career education limit opportunities for kids to for Virgin Galactic at editor@aerotechnews.com.
Jeff Babione, vice president of Lockheed Mar- prepare, and changes in technology are coming so Other Industry, financial sector and small busi-
tin’s Skunk Works, acknowledged possible gains in fast that teachers are being deprived of training op- ness: BYD (Build Your Dream), IBEW Local 2 and
efficiency in some areas, but cautioned that the very portunities. NECA LA, Bank of America, RE/MAX All-Pro and
nature of the security, communications, working re- Pineiro said it is difficult to understand why Jersey Mike’s Subs Web Site
lationships and creative interaction limit the number technical and career education for an electrician is Utilities: So Cal Gas (Sempra Energies) Access the Aerotech News web
of people who can effectively work remotely. He classified as an elective instead of being a core sub- Education: Antelope Valley College District and site at www.aerotechnews.com
said the jury is still out pending more experience. ject. He said reliance on classroom learning to the University of Antelope Valley Submissions for upcoming events, air
Kaiser-Permanente regional Vice President Pay- exclusion of hands-on training makes little sense. Health care: Kaiser-Permanente and Palmdale shows and museums
man Roshan said the pandemic crisis “pushed us Hansen said one solar installation company in San Regional Medical Center should be emailed to
into learning lots of new ways to deliver care,” in- Bernardino opened its solar factory for students at Communicatiosn media, marketing: Aero- editor@aerotechnews.com.
cluding virtual medical appointments. no cost to the schools, and he bemoaned the loss of tech News, Antelope Valley Press, High Des- For questions concerning the web site,
Skip Hansen, executive with Learn for Life field trips to work sites. ert Broadcasting, Lamar Advertising, Bob FM contact the webmaster at
Charter Schools, said school shutdowns and sudden Michael’s final question to the industry panelists 103.9, 100.9 The Heat, 87.7 Country Gold and webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
dependency on virtual learning immediately made opened the door to further discussion: Ke Padre 104.9 FM.
Global strategies, regional economic prospects Where you can get

Aerotech News and Review
by Larry Grooms Zeihan presented graphic data showing the Antelope Valley Region to be For information on
special to Aerotech News one of the few places on earth with the climate, geography, infrastructure, Aerotech distribution, call
technology, and workforce required for advanced R&D in both solar and wind (661) 945-5634 or visit
LANCASTER, Calif.—A energy. He said the challenge there is working to leverage regional assets to www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
global strategist appearing online attract research partners.
from Denver before a virtually as- And Zeihan asserted those same favorable assets also exist for an explo-
sembled audience in the Southern sive expansion of the regional aerospace sector in what he characterized as
California region where technol- “a world of aerospace that is going to get a lot smaller,” with decline of the Aerotech News and Review is published
ogy broke the sound barrier, of- European Union’s Airbus consortium and predicted disruption of aerospace every other Friday, serving the
fered a data-driven prophecy on business in the Persian Gulf region. aerospace and defense industry of
how technology can break barriers On aerospace, Zeihan said the region already known as America’s Aero- Southern California, Nevada and
to rapid economic recovery from space Valley is positioned to capitalize on its utterly unique combination of Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
pandemic. assets. He said there is no great secret in achieving aerospace sector growth, is noon on the Tuesday prior to
Keynote speaker Peter Zeihan Peter Zeihan both for commercial and military activity. The job, he said, is making aero- publication. The publisher assumes no
told the condensed and reformat- space people already living there feel comfortable enough to want to be there responsibility for error in ads other
ted Antelope Valley Economic and reluctant to leave. “It’s quality of life,” he said. than space used. Your comments are
Development and Growth En- Zeihan compared the two largest cities in the Antelope Valley. Lancaster welcomed and encouraged. Write to
terprise (AVEDGE) Business Outlook Conference — Winter Forum 2021 and Palmdale, to Taos, N.M., another desert city with similar climate and the address below.
Style the rate and degree of recovery for the state and the region are largely elevation, but known as a popular tourist destination. He suggested Aero-
contingent upon having the bulk of the population inoculated against the space Valley communities create and promote activities and amenities to
COVID-19 virus by July, accompanied by rapid reopening of businesses, help newcomers feel at home where they work, not thinking about moving • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
schools and other institutions. away, and getting out into the community after work instead of just going • Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
In Zeihan’s view, the region and state are poised to achieve a swift and • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
dramatic return to a vibrant economic recovery because of pent-up public home to watch TV. • National Advertising
Zeihan’s economic development recommendations are based on his analy-
demand. But the longer inoculation and reopening are delayed the greater sis of worldwide conditions and trends in demographics, economics, industrial Manager .....................Paul Kinison
and longer lasting will be the threat to economic recovery. “Most countries production, and trade.
will never recover to what they were in 2019,” he said, and added that with
the rise of variants, “we will have to get booster shots forever.” Extrapolating from long range trends in population age distribution among Aerotech News and Review
Zeihan offered an upbeat forecast that the mountain and desert region of major trading partners, Zeihan concluded, “Globalization is over.” He said e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
northern Los Angeles and southeastern Kern counties will share two existing the end of globalization wasn’t brought about by the pandemic, but rather
economic assets ripe for explosive long-term growth and regional prosper- accelerated by three to five years. Visit our web site at
ity: Aerospace manufacturing, and advanced research and development into He declared the U.S. to be almost perfectly positioned for mutually fa- www.aerotechnews.com
renewable wind and solar energy. See PROSPECTS, Page 3

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2 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview March 5, 2021