Aerospace
How can we help you today? |
Consulting Services Team
Joel Smith, MBA
|
Joel Smith is the President of U.S. Aerospace Defense Group, a certified Veteran owned company providing consultation services and insurance solutions to the aerospace and defense industry, government contractors, and government agencies. He is a widely-respected business professional and executive with a successful record of leading companies in the aerospace and defense industry. Joel has been a vital leader in the space, aerospace, and DoD industry supporting programs to include: COSMIC-2, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Lockheed Martin Space Systems - Satellite redesign, NASA Space Station programs, and DoD CARB programs.
Both a visionary leader and hands-on manager, he chaired numerous Proposal Committees and Engineering Change Boards for aerospace and defense programs. Earlier, Joel Smith spent 23 years in program management, procurement, contract management, negotiations, and auditing in the aerospace industry. He managed over $150 million in annual sales and was a liaison to the Department of Defense and key manufacturers within the aerospace and defense industry. Joel holds a Master of Business Administration from Belhaven University and a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation from Delta State University. As a Lean Six Sigma Expert and a C.A.S.E auditor, he has served as an advisor to government and private contractors and manufacturers. Joel is also a commercial multi-engine pilot. He is a 23-year Veteran of the U.S. Military serving in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. For many years, Joel and his wife have been active leaders for local and national charitable organizations. |
James Wells
|
James Wells is a Senior Vice President at US Aerospace Defense Group. Prior to USADG Mr. Wells was responsible for the successful execution of a complex portfolio of International aviation programs which possess a global reach across a broad customer base, including military and commercial. Prior to this assignment, James worked as a Senior Advisor for the Joint Aviation Command of the UAE Armed Forces where he served as a primary advisor to the Commander for Maintenance, Logistic and Contract oversite. He advised the command on multiple levels to improve efficiencies, cost savings and improve operational capabilities.
James Wells has accumulated over 20 years of experience in Europe, Asia and the Middle East/Africa regions with 6 of those years living and working in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Mr. Wells is a retired United States Army Officer of 28 years (Active and National Guard) and aviator, qualified in various military and commercial rotary/fixed wing aircraft with extensive aviation experience, including 3 combat tours flying and advising around the globe. James’ military experience includes various levels of command and staff through Corp level with 18 months as an advisor with USF-I Advise and Train Command in Iraq. During this time James was the lead advisor to IqAAC (Iraqi Army Aviation Command) in standing up a new command/service where he was instrumental in operations, maintenance, and logistics. As a National Guard member James is experienced with natural disaster and emergency responses performing and commanding at various levels. James has various corporate positions from Program Manager through President Level in a diverse aviation industry around the world. James holds multiple military and civilian qualifications, such as a military instructor pilot, test pilot evaluator and commercial flight instructor instrument (CFII) license, Airframe and Powerplant certificates. James has a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior University. |
Brian Anderson
|
Brian Anderson is Senior Vice President at US Aerospace Defense Group. Brian is a 35-year seasoned executive having recently serviced as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Vertex Aerospace’s, Aircraft Integration & Sustainment Division located in Crestview, Florida and Warner Robins, Georgia. He orchestrated the integration of the two business units while generating a path for both top-line and bottom-line growth. Previously, Brian was the Vice President Business Operations at Vertex Aerospace in Madison, Mississippi where he managed all operational aspects of Vertex while developing strategic approaches to further grow the company.
Brian began his career in Accounting with Vertex and its predecessor companies. Having held management positions in Contracts, Finance and Operations prior to becoming the General Manager for the Airlift Programs. He also led strategic growth for IAP Worldwide Services and DRS Technologies, where he served in executive positions in business development. Additionally, he was previously the President of Tenax Aerospace overseeing all aspects of the company. Brian is a trained Six Sigma Expert and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi and has been involved in community development and philanthropic work. Brian’s personal philosophy: Leaders must create an environment through trust and clarity. This will inspire people want to come to work because the love their jobs their jobs, they like who they work for, and they are proud of the services/products they provide. |
Mr. Clark
|
Mr. Clark has 20 years of insurance industry experience. Most Recently he served as the Head of the Aviation Business Unit at QBE, reporting directly in to the North American Board. He and the team founded the Aviation Division there as a de novo greenfield endeavor in 2011 and quickly moved the business unit into a market leading position in both general aviation and aviation workers’ compensation, becoming the 3rd largest underwriter of workers’ compensation in the aviation sector by the end of 2014 and one of the largest players in the North American corporate and commercial aircraft and airport insurance space. While at QBE, he worked with various partners to found the IFBOA workers’ compensation safety group dividend program which became the largest and most successful program of its type in the aviation sector.
Prior to QBE, he served for 10 years as a Senior Vice President for Old Republic Aerospace, where he led the Special Risk Division, overseeing all underwriting activity for public entity aircraft, airports and aviation workers’ compensation. At Old Republic he led the underwriting team that was responsible for the creation of the NBAA workers’ compensation safety group dividend program which quickly grew into one of the largest and most prestigious programs of its kind in the industry (the National Business Aviation Association, NBAA is the largest civil aviation interest group in the world, responsible for the 4th largest industry trade show of any nature in the United States). Mr. Clark has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and is a 2008 graduate of the Thunderbird School’s top ranked European Based Executive MBA Program. He is a former U.S. Marine, an avid runner and an aviation enthusiast. He lives in Atlanta Georgia with his three daughters and his wife of 17 years. |
Philip A. Wagner
|
Philip A. Wagner, Chief Marketing Officer - Mr. Wagner brings with him over 20 years of commercial aviation insurance underwriting and program administration experience with some of the most respected names in the aviation insurance marketplace, including AIG and Old Republic Aerospace.
While working on his Risk Management degree at the University of Georgia he got to know the aviation business from the ground up while working as a line technician at Briscoe Field (KLZU) in Lawrenceville, GA. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Risk Management and Insurance program. He currently resides in Birmingham, AL where he oversees Plimsoll’s carrier relations and placement strategy. |