Haslam College of Business - Haslam leaders address national aerospace forum

Leaders from the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business were part of a featured panel discussion at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ Science and Technology Forum and Exposition on Jan. 6.

The event – the largest gathering for aerospace research, development and technology professionals – brings together more than 3,000 innovators from around the world. UT representatives led a panel discussing business practices in research and development organizations in the aerospace and defense industry. More than 100 engineers and technology leaders attended the discussion.

Andy White, director of Haslam’s Aerospace and Defense MBA program, moderated the panel while Alex Miller served as one of four panelists. Miller, William B. Stokely Chair in Management, serves as director of the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness at Haslam. Other panelists included: Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin vice president and deputy general manager for the Joint Strike Fighter program; Robert Lightfoot, associate administrator of NASA; and Bobby Smart, a member of the Senior Executive Service and deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition integration.

“The Haslam College of Business is grateful for the opportunity to help shape the conversation around aerospace and defense business practices, which are critical to this industry and our nation,” said White. “Our participation is an honor that recognizes the university’s leadership in this arena.”

Haslam is home to the Aerospace and Defense Business Institute, which includes the Aerospace and Defense MBA program and numerous executive education programs and applied research work serving the industry. Lockheed Martin’s Babione is one of more than 250 graduates of UT’s one-of-a-kind ADMBA program.

The college has done extensive work for a decade with the Air Force and other military services to help improve business practices to support military readiness. The college’s effort also includes close work and teaching with private industry employers supporting the aerospace and defense sector.

CONTACT: Tanya G. Brown, Executive Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Haslam College of Business, (865) 974-1570, tgbrown@utk.edu