Industry leaders and policymakers gathered in Irvine, California, as the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) hosted its Supply Chain Summit at Parker Aerospace’s facility. The event brought together executives from across the aerospace and defense sector with Congresswoman Young Kim to discuss key issues affecting supply chain resilience, trade, critical minerals, and foreign policy.
Congresswoman Kim chairs the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs and represents California’s 40th congressional district. Small Business Administration (SBA) Pacific Regional Administrator Steven Snow also attended, highlighting SBA programs designed to support small businesses.
“This event gave our industry an opportunity to engage directly with Chairwoman Kim as she works to secure access for American business and drive U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Eric Fanning, AIA President & CEO. “Together with the Chairwoman and other Members of Congress, the Aerospace Industries Association is focused on advancing smart, effective policies that strengthen the aerospace and defense supply chain and protect the future of this vibrant industry.”
“It was an honor to join the Aerospace Industries Association Regional Summit to discuss my DOMINANCE Act, how we can strengthen America’s defense industrial base, and secure U.S. critical minerals supply chains for good,” said Rep. Kim. “The companies represented across Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties — from the Primes to the Small and Midsize businesses — are critical to our national security and economic strength. Conversations like these ensure Congress is a strong partner in keeping America safe and competitive.”
AIA’s ongoing engagement strategy emphasizes advocacy efforts such as networking through councils and committees while providing access to more than 1,400 industry standards (source). The association supports manufacturers and suppliers throughout the aerospace and defense sector (source), shaping U.S. policy on national security matters as well as aviation safety, space innovation, workforce development (source), diversity initiatives (source), international business ethics (source), innovation encouragements, economic expansion efforts (source).
The Southern California summit provided a platform for stakeholders—including manufacturers, operators, technology providers—to share perspectives on trade policies such as tariffs; defense funding; acquisition processes; foreign military sales reform; workforce challenges; opportunities within a complex global environment.
According to AIA data shared at the event: America’s aerospace and defense supply chain generated $438.7 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. The sector supports over 1.1 million jobs nationwide—representing more than half of total industry employment—and includes thousands of businesses ranging from small enterprises to large corporations.
