2023 Executive of the Year

 PNAA’s Executive of the Year Award is presented to an executive of an aerospace company located within the Pacific Northwest who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the Pacific Norwest Aerospace Industry.

 Mark Behrends has been at the center of Pioneer Human Services for nine years. As a nonprofit social enterprise that provides individuals involved in the criminal legal system with the opportunity to lead healthy, productive lives, Pioneer Human Services also assists people who are overcoming substance use disorders and mental health issues. Founded in 1963 as a single halfway house for individuals released from prison, Pioneer Human Services has expanded to a robust organization operating a broad range of over 50 programs across Washington. In addition to addressing societal challenges, it helps give justice-involved individuals a place to live, access to behavioral health care, job-readiness training, and stable employment.

Pioneer Human Services operates a diverse line of aerospace manufacturing, distribution, and commercial food businesses to provide on-the-job training and work experience, while generating revenue to help fund its social mission. One of the enterprises, Pioneer Industries, is a full-service CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication business that produces high-quality aerospace parts. As a key Tier 1 supplier with over 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space, it employs hundreds of professional men and women.

After earning a BA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Pittsburg, Mark worked at Alcoa, Inc. as the Aerospace Sales Manager. He was eventually promoted to Vice President of Alcoa Powder. In 2013, after 31 years at Alcoa, Mark joined Pioneer. As Chief Operations Officer, Mark oversees operational standards at Pioneer Human Services and Pioneer Industries, as well as Pioneer’s two other enterprises: Pioneer Food Services and Pioneer Distribution Center. He also serves as executive sponsor for all major projects related to client training, enterprises, and infrastructure development.

During Mark’s tenure, Pioneer Industries has adopted a performance-driven culture that includes meaningful metrics from top to bottom. In addition to all but eliminating recordable injuries, he revised operational performance practices which resulted in receiving Boeing’s Performance Excellence Award (2018), Premier Bidder supplier (2020), a nomination for Supplier of the Year (2021), and a Supply Chain Performance Achievement (2021 – only 183 Boeing suppliers out of 12,000 worldwide receive it), while navigating the pandemic and MAX challenges.

PNAA Board Member Orlando Tantico states, “It takes a very talented leader to achieve such prestigious operational results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Mark has consistently gone beyond the call of duty – his passion, initiative and care for others encapsulates the true definition of what it means to be a servant leader. He possesses people-centric qualities. He respects the individuals, treats people with dignity, and understands their experiences. No one is more deserving of this award.”

Mark is optimistic about the organization’s growth noting, “The aerospace market has been challenged to grow in the traditional sense during the pandemic and Pioneer is no different in that regard. However, Pioneer has grown in other ways. The leadership team has cross-trained the entire work force. Investments have been implemented. Products flows have been reprogrammed to be produced more efficiently. We have created excess footprint in the plant to allow for growth. We have taken full advantage of these last three years to create a strong production and financial model that resulted in a robust 2022. I couldn’t be more excited for the future.”

Outside of work, Mark participates with PNAC in Workforce Development and Supply Chain mapping, is an active PNAA member, serves on the leadership team for the Eastside area Young Life organization, and enjoys travel with his wife and family.