The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) is proud to present the 2025 Company of the Year Award to Harper Engineering, a Renton-based, employee-owned company whose innovation, operational excellence, and community impact exemplify the best of the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry.

For 25 years, PNAA has celebrated organizations that strengthen our region’s global competitiveness while setting new standards of excellence. The Company of the Year Award recognizes aerospace businesses that combine performance with visionary leadership, raising the bar for the entire supply chain. Harper Engineering embodies these values in every respect.

A Legacy of Engineering Excellence

Founded in 1968 by O.J. Harper, the company began with a mission to solve complex aircraft interior challenges through mechanical innovation. By the 1990s, Harper had developed deep in-house machining capabilities, laying the foundation for future growth. A move into a larger Renton facility in 2009 and the addition of a composites site in Kent in 2014 expanded their capabilities, while formalizing employee ownership in 2015 strengthened their culture of accountability and innovation.

Today, Harper Engineering is a leading producer of engineered hardware and certified polymer composite components. From latching and locking systems to seat track fittings and brackets, the company delivers complete design, certification, and manufacturing under one vision—providing solutions with speed, precision, and lasting quality.

Innovation Through Collaboration

Harper’s recent development of an advanced latching system for the Secondary Barrier, created in partnership with Boeing, underscores their agility and dedication to both safety and innovation. With the barrier now a regulatory requirement for all North American production aircraft deliveries, Harper’s contribution highlights their problem-solving spirit and commitment to industry-wide progress.

Operational Excellence, Year After Year

Harper Engineering has made consistency a defining feature of its operations. In 2025, the company marked 16 consecutive years of achieving 99% on-time delivery and 99% quality performance. Their enhanced production system, introduced this year, reinforces efficiency and responsiveness—ensuring Harper remains a trusted partner in an industry defined by precision.

Recognized Accomplishments

Harper’s impact has been recognized globally, including Boeing’s Supplier of the Year Awards in both 2011 and 2023. These honors reflect not only engineering expertise but also Harper’s culture of innovation, resilience, and customer support. As President & CEO Carlo Mears notes, “We’ve grown by empowering our team, strengthening our systems, and creating space for new ideas to continually improve our speed and quality.”

Community Commitment and Inclusion

Beyond business results, Harper Engineering has demonstrated a deep commitment to community. For the 10th consecutive year, the company has donated 2% of annual sales to local charities, with employees selecting the beneficiaries. They have also advanced inclusivity across their supplier base, increasing spending with underrepresented businesses by 45% over the past year, ensuring growth is shared throughout the industry.

Quietly Exceptional, Enduringly Impactful

Harper Engineering doesn’t seek the spotlight, yet their actions speak volumes. They innovate without ego, deliver without fail, and give without condition. From their Renton headquarters, they embody resilience, collaboration, and forward-thinking leadership—qualities that strengthen not only their company but the entire Pacific Northwest aerospace cluster.

On behalf of PNAA and our members, we are honored to recognize Harper Engineering as the 2025 Company of the Year.

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) is proud to present the 2025 Executive of the Year Award to Kathy Moodie, CEO of UMBRAGROUP USA, in recognition of her transformative leadership, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to the Pacific Northwest aerospace industry.

PNAA Aerospace Executive of the Year Award: Kathy Moodie, CEO, UMBRAGROUP USA

Transforming UMBRAGROUP in Record Time

In just two years as CEO of UMBRAGROUP, Kathy Moodie has redefined what visionary leadership looks like. Under her guidance, the company achieved over 40% revenue growth and increased profitability by five times. She rebuilt the executive team, forged a stronger union partnership through a successful new HR contract, and drove significant operational improvements. Critical customer relationships were revitalized through better delivery, higher quality, and responsiveness, setting a new standard of excellence.

Perhaps most notably, Kathy made people the center of transformation. She improved UMBRAGROUP’s employee satisfaction index by more than 25% by implementing town halls, leading culture change initiatives, and strengthening engagement across the organization.

A Lifetime of Impact in Aerospace

Kathy’s influence extends far beyond her recent success. Over a 39-year aerospace career, she has broken barriers and mentored more than 200 leaders—most of them women—helping shape the next generation of industry innovators. She was the first woman to serve as Vice President of the Everett Delivery Center and Everett Site, among other senior leadership roles at Boeing.

Her proudest accomplishment is also deeply personal: raising her daughter, now an aerospace engineer at Blue Origin, reflecting Kathy’s legacy of inspiring women to achieve greatness in aerospace.

About UMBRAGROUP

Founded in Italy in 1972, UMBRAGROUP has grown into a global leader in motion control solutions for aerospace and defense. With operations in Italy, Germany, and the United States, the company is a trusted Motion Solution Partner, known for co-creating high-performance technologies that reduce weight, improve efficiency, and enable the future of flight and defense.

At its core, UMBRAGROUP values people as its greatest asset. Engineers, technicians, and specialists thrive in a culture built on integrity, passion, and responsibility. By combining mechanical expertise with advanced engineering and innovation, UMBRAGROUP continues to shape a safer, more sustainable, and technologically advanced world.

Celebrating a Trailblazer

The PNAA Executive of the Year Award honors leaders whose vision and influence leave a lasting mark on the industry. Kathy Moodie’s exceptional achievements at UMBRAGROUP, coupled with her decades of impact as a mentor, trailblazer, and advocate for women in aerospace, exemplify the very best of aerospace leadership.

On behalf of PNAA and our members, we are honored to recognize Kathy Moodie as the 2025 Executive of the Year, celebrating her remarkable contributions to UMBRAGROUP, her teams, and the entire aerospace community.

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) is proud to present the 2025 Chair Award to Ihssane Mounir, Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Fabrication for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, for his outstanding leadership, collaborative spirit, and commitment to strengthening the relationship between Boeing and the Pacific Northwest aerospace supply chain.

For 25 years, PNAA has celebrated individuals and organizations that embody our mission to support the growth and global competitiveness of the Pacific Northwest aerospace cluster. The Chair Award is presented to those who not only advance their own organizations but elevate the entire industry through partnership, and trust. This year’s recipient, Ihssane Mounir, exemplifies those qualities in every way.

Building Bridges Through Collaboration

Under Ihssane’s leadership, Boeing Commercial Airplanes has taken meaningful steps to partner with PNAA to engage with suppliers across our region in new and impactful ways. Through supplier town halls, one-on-one meetings, and transparent communication, he has made collaboration a priority. These efforts have gone beyond formal updates. They have fostered real dialogue, where suppliers feel heard, valued, and supported.

The result has been a stronger foundation of trust at a time when trust is more essential than ever. The aerospace industry has faced a series of disruptions over the past several years, from global supply chain challenges to workforce shortages. In navigating these realities, Ihssane has reminded us that Boeing and its suppliers share not just challenges, but also opportunities to innovate and succeed together.

A Model of Transparent Leadership

What sets Ihssane apart is his commitment to openness. By creating forums where suppliers can directly engage with Boeing leadership, he has broken down barriers that too often exist between OEMs and their supply chains. His willingness to answer tough questions, listen to concerns, and communicate with candor has set a new standard for supplier relations.

This transparency has not only improved day-to-day working relationships but has also provided clarity and confidence to suppliers as they plan for the future. By emphasizing partnership, he has helped shift the dynamic from transactional to transformational — and that shift benefits the entire Pacific Northwest aerospace cluster.

A Shared Vision for the Future

The Chair Award is more than a recognition of past accomplishments; it is also a reflection of the values that will carry our industry forward. Ihssane’s leadership illustrates how collaboration, trust, and shared vision create a stronger aerospace ecosystem. His work aligns directly with PNAA’s mission of building resilience, supporting workforce development, and ensuring the Pacific Northwest remains a global leader in aerospace innovation.

On behalf of PNAA and our members, we extend our deepest appreciation to Ihssane Mounir. His dedication has strengthened ties across our community and set the stage for continued success for Boeing and its supply base. We are honored to celebrate his contributions with the 2025 Chair Award.

Inspiring the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance is proud to recognize the Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Academy (AMLA) with the 2025 Inspire Award. This unique program exemplifies what’s possible when education and industry come together with a shared purpose: preparing the next generation of aerospace and manufacturing leaders.

Launched in 2024, AMLA is a nine-month, dual-credit career launch program that blends high school and college coursework with paid, hands-on training in advanced manufacturing. Through the partnership of Clover Park Technical College, Kent School District, and Skills Inc., students gain a transformative experience that bridges the classroom and the factory floor.

Clover Park Technical College: Advancing Education

Over the past five years, Clover Park Technical College has evolved its Manufacturing Program into a flexible, cutting-edge leader in advanced manufacturing education. The program now spans six disciplines—digital, additive, robotic, subtractive, automated fabrication, and tool & die manufacturing—providing students and employers with entry-level, re-skilling, and up-skilling opportunities across the Pacific Northwest.

Clover Park also hosts major events such as the Skills USA WA State Leadership & Skills Conference and has secured millions in state and federal grants, including funding for capital equipment, workforce expansion, and a 2026 Tacoma Manufacturing Incubator project. These efforts ensure students are learning on the most advanced equipment and technologies available.

Kent School District: A Platinum Gateway Experience

For Kent School District seniors, AMLA offers a true “platinum gateway experience.” Students earn up to 45 college credits toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technologies while completing their high school requirements. Hosted at Skills Inc., students not only learn CNC machine operation, Lean principles, and emerging technologies like robotics and 3D printing, but they also work as paid interns alongside experienced machinists and mentors.

As one partner described, “The success of our first AMLA cohort is a testament to the power of partnership and purpose. All five students graduated high school, four continued paid work with Skills Inc., and all chose to pursue their AAS degree at Clover Park Tech.”

Skills Inc.: Industry-Driven Training

As a certified aerospace manufacturer and nonprofit social enterprise, Skills Inc. provides the hands-on training environment for AMLA. Students are immersed in real-world aerospace production, gaining confidence, technical skills, and leadership experience in a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Graduate Sidnee Shropshire summed up the program’s impact: “The AMLA gave me hands-on experience, mentors who believed in me, and friends I’ll have for life. It opened the door to a future I’m excited about.”

A Model for Workforce Development

In just its first two years, AMLA has proven the power of collaboration between schools, colleges, and industry. It not only prepares students for advanced degrees and apprenticeships but also builds a stronger, more innovative workforce for aerospace and manufacturing in the Pacific Northwest. For its vision, impact, and ability to inspire, AMLA is a truly deserving recipient of the PNAA Inspire Award.

PNAA's WIA Rising Star Award recognizes a woman who has demonstrated a drive for excellence that has inspired change and innovation. The nominee is not afraid to break molds. She understands the importance of sharing new ideas and fostering a thought process that has a positive influence in the workplace and community. The nominee is a creative forward thinker who puts ideas into action.

PNAA is proud to recognize Lori Robertson with its 2026 Rising Star Award.

Lori Robertson is the Founder and President of Cutting Edge Metals, a McMinnville, Oregon based precision CNC machining company serving the aerospace, defense, and medical industries. Driven by a commitment to advancing manufacturing excellence, she launched Cutting Edge Metals in 2022 with a vision to build a high-performing, future-ready supplier in highly regulated markets.

With more than 30 years of experience, Lori has built a dynamic career across plastic injection molding, gasket manufacturing, and precision optics, ultimately rising to executive leadership roles, including President of Usher Precision Manufacturing. Her depth of expertise and hands-on leadership have shaped her reputation as both a strategic thinker and an operator who delivers results.

Under her leadership, Cutting Edge Metals has experienced rapid growth, achieving critical certifications such as ITAR and AS9100/ISO9001, positioning the company as a trusted partner in the aerospace and defense supply chains. Her entrepreneurial success has been recognized with the Startup of the Year Award at the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership’s McMinnovation Awards in 2023, as well as McMinnville Chamber Member of the Quarter in 2024.

Beyond her company, Lori is a passionate advocate for regional economic vitality and workforce development. She serves on the board of the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership and co-chairs the McMinnville Economic Vitality Leadership Council, helping guide long-term strategies aligned with the MAC-Town 2032 vision. Through programs like Career Bound and the McMinnville WORKS Internship Program, she actively mentors students and champions pathways into advanced manufacturing.

Lori’s leadership reflects the spirit of a Rising Star, combining innovation, action, and a deep commitment to building a stronger, more connected aerospace ecosystem.

The PNAA Woman of Impact Award honors a woman whose sustained leadership and contributions have made a lasting and measurable difference in the aerospace industry.

She has a proven track record of driving progress, influencing outcomes, and strengthening the organizations and communities around her. Through consistent action and leadership over time, she has helped shape the direction of the industry, not just participate in it. This award recognizes a leader whose impact is enduring, whose influence extends beyond her immediate role, and whose work continues to create opportunities for others.

PNAA is proud to recognize Michelle Wilmot with its 2026 Woman of Impact Award.

Michelle Wilmot leads government and business relations for the City of Kent’s Economic Development Department, where she has spent more than two decades advancing one of the nation’s most dynamic aerospace and advanced manufacturing corridors. With over 30 years in public affairs and economic development, she is known for building powerful connections between industry, education, and government to drive lasting regional impact.

Michelle convenes and leads the Kent Valley Air & Space Manufacturing Roundtable, a multi-jurisdictional partnership uniting manufacturers, educators, and policymakers to address shared workforce and industry challenges. The model has earned national recognition from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and helped secure $2.65 million in federal funding to expand advanced manufacturing and robotics training, as well as youth workforce initiatives across South King County.

Her influence extends beyond workforce systems into community engagement and aerospace heritage. Michelle led the effort to designate the Boeing-built Lunar Rovers from the Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions as historic landmarks and helped launch initiatives like the Lunar Rover STEM Festival and Kherson Park, a space-themed community destination that blends education, access, and innovation. She has also spearheaded large-scale events like the Space for All STEM Festival and the Future in Flight Expo, connecting hundreds of students to aerospace career pathways.

A Puget Sound native, whose grandmother hitchhiked from Texas to Washington during the Depression to work at Boeing, Michelle is driven by a commitment to ensuring the next generation can see themselves in this industry. Her leadership reflects a sustained and measurable impact, strengthening communities, expanding opportunity, and helping shape the future of aerospace in the region.

PNAA’s 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.

PNAA is proud to award Kimberly Chaussee its 2026 Woman of the Year Award.

Kimberly Chaussee is the General Manager of Stack Metallurgical Services’ Portland facility, where she leads operations supporting the aerospace, space, energy, and advanced manufacturing industries. Known for her grounded leadership and commitment to excellence, Kimberly has cultivated a culture centered on accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Since joining Stack in 2012, Kimberly has advanced from customer service to production control and into senior leadership, developing deep expertise in heat treating and its critical role in aerospace manufacturing. Since becoming General Manager in 2021, she has strengthened operational performance while championing initiatives that drive both business success and environmental responsibility.

Under her leadership, the Portland facility has made significant strides in sustainability through its Strategic Energy Management partnership with Energy Trust of Oregon, reducing energy consumption by more than 1.1 million kilowatt-hours since 2022, cutting nearly one million pounds of CO₂ emissions. Her approach reflects a belief that operational excellence and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

Kimberly is also deeply committed to workforce development, regularly welcoming students into the facility and promoting pathways into manufacturing careers. Her leadership is shaped by a 15-year background in martial arts; as a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and instructor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, she mentors youth and women and has been recognized with the Police Chief’s Award for her community impact.

A dedicated advocate for inclusion and opportunity in aerospace manufacturing, Kimberly leads with integrity and purpose, embodying the spirit of PNAA’s Woman of the Year.