2024 Woman of the Year

The PNAA WIA Woman of the Year Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and success over several years. The nominee will have a track record of long-term achievements, professional growth, and community involvement and has distinguished herself in her organization, her profession, and her community. This woman is known for her positive influence and competent abilities. The Nominee epitomizes the values for which PNAA stands and represents the best of who we are as women and as leaders.

Barbara Parkhurst is a dedicated Business Development Manager, with over 25 years of experience in the Aerospace industry. She has held various positions within the industry, starting on the manufacturing floor at Northwest Composites in 1996.  Along the way in her career path, she spent time in quality as the MRB clerk, production control for Embraer, Human Resources, as well as serving as an executive assistant at Northwest Composites and Senior Aerospace. All that breadth of experience prepared Barbara for her a new role at Onamac as the Business Development Coordinator in 2017 then moving into her current management position in 2022.  

Barbara is known for her self-motivated and enthusiastic approach to work, always striving to be a positive role model for her colleagues and in her personal life.

In addition to her professional achievements, Barbara is passionate about helping others and has dedicated her time in the past supporting the United Way as a campaign manager and member of the workforce committee. Her commitment and hard work were recognized when she was awarded Employee Campaign Manager of the year.

Although Aerospace is in her DNA, Barbara's true passion lies in event planning for Onamac’s annual events, like the employee longevity luncheon, family day picnic, and Christmas party, where she takes joy in seeing her team come together, be recognized for their hard work, and have fun.

Outside of work, Barbara enjoys spending time in Alaska, visiting family, fishing, and cherishes her greatest accomplishment as a mother to her two daughters and grandmother to her one grandson, Julian Carter!

At the end the day, it’s teamwork that creates success!  Barbara spends her days with a fabulous team of women and men who know how to Work Hard, Play Hard!