The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association (ADA) has named former U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart as the newly appointed chair of the organization. Stewart resigned his seat in Congress earlier this year and returned to Utah to help his wife deal with an illness.
Stewart was first elected to Congress in 2013 and served on the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee during his tenure in Washington, working mainly largely in defense, intelligence and foreign affairs. As a decorated Air Force pilot, Stewart possesses extensive firsthand knowledge of the aerospace and defense industry and its associated opportunities for growth, the ADA said in announcing his appointment.
“When I went to Congress, I knew I could contribute to critical decisions related to aerospace and defense because it was a continuation of what I’d always done,” said Stewart. “Leading the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association will allow me to leverage my expertise and continue serving Utahns in a critical way. This is my greatest passion and where I feel I can make a difference.”
The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association has an announced goal of building the world’s premier ecosystem for aerospace, defense and cyber companies in Utah. The organization convenes, promotes and advocates for companies developing the next generation of technology.
“Artificial intelligence, radars, deterrence systems, cyber security, machine learning, drones and more are critical technology areas for the future of our country that can be developed here in Utah,” said Stewart.
Utah has more than 1,000 companies and half a dozen military installations statewide making up nearly 20 percent of the state’s economic activity.
“Utah is a patriotic state well -positioned to defend our country,” said Stewart. “The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association’s work matters not only to the Utah economy but also to America’s national security. I am honored to serve as their chair and look forward to improving Utahns’ quality of life through our work.”