Kansas Fourth District Congressman Mike Pompeo Presents Award
To Spirit AeroSystems CEO At Annual Gala
Kansas Fourth District Congressman Mike Pompeo and officials of
the Wichita Aero Club presented the organization’s second WAC
Trophy Saturday to Spirit AeroSystems Chief Executive Officer Jeff
Turner (pictured) at a gala attended by 250 local and regional
aviation leaders. Mr. Turner and Spirit AeroSystems were chosen by
the Club’s Selection Committee from among seven nominees.
“The Wichita Aero Club Trophy’s nomination
criteria talks about deep connections to Wichita and Kansas and to
furthering its aerospace community. It’s about relationships
that build excellence. Jeff Turner truly personifies these
ideals,” Pompeo said. “Spirit AeroSystems, the company
Jeff leads, and the thousands of families it depends on and who, in
turn, depend on it, is much deserving of sharing in this
evening’s praise. Markets are brutal things...and that is as
it should be. It’s all the more evident, as Spirit continues
to prosper, that it is a truly global business succeeding and
pursuing excellence through a commitment to its customers and team
members,” he added.
The award presentation ceremony included a video highlighting
Spirit’s growth from a former Boeing Division into the
design/build provider of choice for commercial aviation in just
over 6 years. It also featured examples of Spirit’s ongoing
and significant contributions to the local community. The company
and its employees, through their Good Neighbor Fund, are involved
in numerous charitable organizations and activities.
Spirit reached a number of important milestones during the 2011,
including helping Boeing realize the long-awaited introduction into
service of the Model 787 Dreamliner and selection as a supplier for
the U.S. Air Force KC-46A Tanker. Spirit also expanded its
facilities, added numerous employees, both in Wichita and elsewhere
and continued to explore ways to retain jobs in the local community
and surrounding areas, opening a sub-assembly facility in Chanute,
rather than opting for outsourcing the work to another country.
Also participating in the presentation of the award were Wichita
Aero Club Board Chairman Patrick Tuttle, Executive Director Dave
Franson and Trophy Selection Committee Chairperson Ashley Bowen
Cook of the Greteman Group.
The Wichita Aero Club Trophy was created in 2009 to honor a
living person, group, or existing organization with a strong
relationship to the greater Wichita area, who have distinguished
him,her or themselves in the field of aviation or aerospace within
the most recent calendar year or during a cumulative career of
significant achievements and contributions.
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