Aerospace Company located in the Pacific NW that has exhibited exceptional organizational and managerial and management characteristics while continually maintaining a strong competitive posture, thus raising the industry standard for the Pacific NW.

PNAA Awards EPICOn November 6th, 2019, Epic Aircraft announced the FAA granted Type Certification to its E1000 clean sheet all carbon fiber aircraft design. They met these requirements, without compromising performance expectations, especially given the higher FAA standards for composite versus metal designs. This concluded a rigorous seven-year program that established a new industry standard for performance, price and ramp appeal in the personal aircraft marketplace. The E1000 is the fastest, highest performing, most affordable and comfortable, six-place single-engine turboprop in the world.

“Epic is a marvelous example of a company with a dream, who builds a winning team around that dream,” said PNAA Board Member JC Hall. “It harnessed the knowledge and workforce development infrastructure that was fostered in the 1990’s Bend area, and rose up to create a high-performance business aircraft that competes with business jets, but operates more economically.”

Headquartered in Bend, Oregon, Epic Aircraft is a design-driven aviation company that conducts all its engineering and manufacturing operations in the United States. In 2004, it began redefining the rules of aviation when it debuted its first experimental aircraft, the Epic LT. Its artful combination of turbine power, composite technology, advanced avionics and unforgettable luxury, packaged in a sleek, elegant airframe, caused the aviation industry to take notice. And they didn’t stop there. Today, with over 300 full time staff, it successfully applied the collective knowledge and experience gained from jointly building over 50 Epic LT ‘kits’ toward the E1000 certification.

Epic is currently guided by Doug King, himself a former Epic LT owner. In March of 2012, Epic Aircraft was purchased by a private investor who agreed to fund the company’s type certification program. Doug assumed the role of CEO, bringing his successful business experience and passion for aviation to Epic. Prior to joining the company, he owned several highly successful transaction processing and computer services businesses in Southern California. He was instrumental in revitalizing the operations of Syncro Aircraft in Van Nuys, California, a premier business jet refurbishment center on the west coast that specializes in Gulfstream, Learjet, Hawker, Boeing and Falcon aircraft.

His leadership resolutely guided the company’s E1000 certification efforts toward a successful conclusion in November. “We have a great team and great partners, who have worked tirelessly to achieve E1000 certification. We have a dedicated and passionate owner, whose belief in the program and product never wavered,” said King. “We have recruited the necessary resources, knowledge, and experience to support certification and production of this game-changing design. We are confident in our ability to deliver an aircraft that will redefine industry expectations.”

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.

As the first female President & CEO under 50 in the nation who is legally blind, Cindy Watson is blazing a trail for people with disabilities in aerospace.

With a career that spans across two decades in organizations with both a business and social mission, Cindy was promoted in April 2015 from Senior Vice President to President and CEO of the 100-year-old enterprise, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

A private not-for-profit, the Lighthouse employs roughly 500 people, 270 of whom are blind, DeafBlind, or blind with other disabilities.  These employees make aerospace parts, office products, and myriad other machined products for customers such as The Boeing Company and the federal government. They also provide managed services, including appointment setting, quality assurance, account reconciliation, contract close out, and other administrative services for customers such as the U.S. Navy and the Defense Contract Management Agency.

“The continued growth in meaningful jobs for people who are blind, the expansion of The Lighthouse footprint into new communities, the steady increase in revenue to provide higher wages, and expanded training and development at The Lighthouse is inspiring to all of us at our organization.” said Cindy, “I believe these accomplishments will encourage our customers, donors, and community partners to help us lead the way in providing sustainable jobs during this next decade of progress.”

Cindy earned her MBA in Business Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She was also a fellow at the National Industries for the Blind (NIB) and provided teaching, counseling, and employment assistance for the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services - Blind Division.

Previous to her work in Texas, Cindy worked at Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind as their Director of Contract Services from 2010 to 2015. She also led the American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB) Center on Vision Loss and Web Programs and served on the Board of Trustees in Dallas. Prior to accepting a position at The Lighthouse as Senior Vice President, she was Vice President of Services at Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. 

Throughout her career, Cindy has dedicated herself to empowering, advocating, and creating pathways to employment for people who are blind.

PNAA Chief Executive Officer, Emeritus

PNAA’s Chairwoman’s Award is presented to an individual, company or organization to honor their outstanding accomplishments which have significantly contributed to the support, growth and future of the aerospace industry, throughout the greater Pacific Northwest.

Melanie Jordan served PNAA in progressive leadership roles beginning in 2007 as a member of the Board of Directors, then as Executive Director (2013), Chief Operating Officer (2014) and CEO (2016) retiring with the honorary title of CEO Emeritus in 2019.

Under her leadership, and with the strategies for growth determined by the Board of Directors, PNAA became the Pacific Northwest region’s premier aerospace trade organization focused on the mission of promoting the growth and global competitiveness of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Cluster.

She grew up in Renton in the 1960s and entered the workforce at a time of significant economic distress. “Would the last person leaving Seattle - turn out the lights” was the iconic billboard that reflected the mood of the region, and with 17% unemployment, jobs were scarce.

Young and enthusiastic, Melanie was undaunted and began her search for work with an idea – Start at “A” in the yellow pages; cold call every company asking for a job until you get a “Yes.” Dozens of calls, then Bingo! A small startup airline needed to set up an office and Melanie had the skills. Once organized, she focused on flight operations, where she thrived, and her career in aviation was launched.

Over the next several years, Melanie worked in flight operations at a global non-scheduled airline (B707) and then a regional air carrier (B737). She later transferred her knowledge and skills to a variety of specialized jobs in aviation including: the FAA, airport management, aviation land use and advisor to flying museum Historic Flight. In 2003 she joined with the leadership team in the planning and development of the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour, serving as Founding President and Chair of the Foundation.

Years later, with her interest in aerospace piqued and wanting to learn more, she attended: PNAA’s 6th Annual Aerospace Conference. Thoroughly impressed with the world-class speakers, she noticed attendance was sparse and had an idea. “Let me assist you with bringing in a larger audience,” she pitched the Board. Wanting to grow the organization, but not having the bandwidth, they struck a deal for services.

“As is the case with the success of any organization, it takes a team,” noted PNAA’s Vice Chair, John Graham. “In PNAA's case, Melanie Jordan was the exceptional team leader responsible for revitalizing PNAA and helping it to become the largest and most impactful aerospace alliance in the world. She has an exceptional ability to work within all factions of the aerospace community and used this skill to lay the foundation for PNAA's current success.”

With unique, effective and relevant events facilitating engagement between PNAA’s members, suppliers, sponsors, partners and key aerospace stakeholders locally and globally, the industry was receptive. Year after year growth ensued and PNAA became recognized as the destination organization for aerospace manufacturers to learn the latest market intelligence, trends, and analytics, as well as network with peer decision makers. “Under Melanie’s leadership PNAA broadened its reach,” stated PNAA’s Chairwoman, Nikki Malcom, “CEO Roundtables, Women in Aerospace, Oktoberfest, Executive Briefings, scholarship funding, international agreements and more. A mentor to many, consistently modeling professionalism, enthusiastic about STEM education, always the optimist and sharing her passion for aviation and aerospace, Melanie has set the standard for others to follow.”

In retirement, she’s looking forward to traveling with her sweetheart, visiting her son at UC Berkeley and writing a book of family history with her mother. A dedicated aviation/aerospace enthusiast, she will continue offering strategic insights on the industry through Aerospace Liaison Services as a consultant.

PNAA’s Inspire Award honors businesses and individuals in the aerospace community that have shown exceptional creativity in working with young people and diverse populations in an effort to promote diversity and inclusion in the aerospace industry and cultivate interest and skills leading to aerospace careers.

Since 1963, Pioneer Human Services has endeavored to be a loud, unified voice for people with criminal histories, ensuring that every person served has an opportunity to transcend their past and be embraced as a valuable member of society; an inspiring message which can be heard and felt across the state. The organization has expanded from a single halfway house to a robust non-profit, operating a broad range of programs in nearly 60 locations across Washington State. Their mission is to provide individuals with criminal histories the opportunity to lead healthy, productive lives.

Over the last 56 years, Pioneer has made many notable accomplishments, including sustained growth in both their service and business lines. Within the manufacturing division specifically they serve as a model for inclusive hiring practices with 67% of the workforce having experience in the criminal justice system and/or being in recovery from substance abuse.

“We are dedicated to building a world-class aerospace manufacturing company that provides living wage jobs for our employees while consistently exceeding our customers’ expectations on quality, delivery and customer service,” said Mark Behrends, VP Pioneer Enterprises. “Over the last few years, we have invested in cutting edge machinery that has allowed us to almost double our production of machined parts. We produced more than 2 million total parts last year – our most productive year ever – and we are committed to continuing to expand our capabilities and hone our expertise moving forward.”

Committed to providing career paths that lead to economic stability, Pioneer supports their employees in pursuing these paths through a range of education opportunities from apprenticeship tracks to 100% college tuition payment. “Over the past year, I have learned a lot – including how to love myself. I have really stayed on the right track this time and I can say that I am proud of my accomplishments. Every direction I turn Pioneer has supported and helped me with what I need,” said Lynette, an employee.

In recent years, Pioneer has left lasting impressions across the state, receiving the Regence Employer Value Award for HOPE from Regence BlueShield of Washington, the Economic Opportunity Award from Puget Sound Business, the Achieve Award from the Association of Washington Business (AWB) and the Large Nonprofit Employer of the Year through Washington State Governor’s Employee Award.

At the organizational level, Pioneer believes it has a responsibility to help shape a more just society in which people truly have an opportunity to overcome their pasts and be welcomed as valuable members of our community. As such, they have played a key leadership role in advancing legislation at the local and state level to decrease discrimination in both housing and employment.

Today, Pioneer Human Services has grown to be a leading organization in Washington State that offers an integrated array of services that provides more than 10,000 people a year with the tools they need to build better lives.