WASHINGTON, 16 May 2006. Several key players in the defense industry participated May 9 in a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill hosted by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Senior executives representing several leading defense contractors and associations were present for the session, which focused on the future of the defense industry and its relationship to manufacturing in the United States.
Panelists included representatives from Lockheed Martin, Michelin North America Inc., the Lexington Institute, the Aerospace Industry Association, the Electronic Industries Alliance, Force Protection Inc., and the Syracuse Research Corporation.
Clinton and Graham co-chair the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, and both serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"Today's roundtable was both important and timely," said Force Protection vice president and panelist Michael Aldrich. "An efficient relationship between American manufacturers and the federal government is critical to meet both short- and long-term protection needs in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world. We appreciate the invitation from Senators Graham and Clinton to represent the perspective and position of a rapidly growing small defense manufacturer that is producing proven solutions for our armed forces, and understand how we can get these solutions to our servicemen and women faster through improved relationships in these areas."
