OUR ImpactSPADA connects students, professionals, and businesses across the Southern Pacific aerospace and defense community, creating real opportunities through events, mentorship, and industry partnerships. This page documents our recorded accomplishments, initiatives, and outcomes.
Notable AccomplishmentsHere you will find a record of our most notable achievements, standout events, and defining moments that highlight the difference we make. Interested in the benefits of SPADA? Join today.
At SPADA's launch event, students and participants connected directly with industry and government leaders, gaining insights on career pathways in aerospace and defense. Congressman Whitesides and Lockheed Martin VP George Sanchez shared their perspectives on aerospace policy and fielded questions after an audience Q&A. The event also facilitated meaningful networking with industry partners, fostering relationships and opening doors for future collaboration across the regional aerospace and defense community.
❋ Launch Event❋ DAN NEWMAN PRESENTS RRL CalculatorDan Newman of Anduril Industries presented the VFS Regulatory Readiness Level (RRL) Calculator to SPADA members and participants, offering a practical framework for assessing where an aerospace or defense project stands in relation to regulatory approval. Newman's presentation gave attendees a hands-on look at how tools like this can inform development decisions and streamline the regulatory process, reinforcing SPADA's commitment to equipping its members with actionable industry knowledge.
SPADA participated in the 32nd annual Aerospace Valley Career Fair: A Salute to Youth, where students were bused to Boeing Plant 1 to meet with over 50 exhibitors and explore career opportunities across the aerospace and defense industry. To make the most of the experience, SPADA provided a designated Board member on-site to guide students through the variety of careers available in A&D — helping them connect what they were seeing on the floor to real, actionable pathways for their futures.
❋ Boeing Site Trade show❋ Facilitated high‑impact mentorship and advocacy for studentsSPADA arranged meetings for our student cohort with Congressman Whitesides and OJ Sanchez, President of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Students engaged directly on issues important to them, received one‑on‑one advice on how to get involved, and built relationships that led to recommendation letters and introductions to key policymakers and industry leaders.