A Bit About Us
The NIDIA (Northeast Indiana Defense Industry Association) was formed with the idea to help fuel industry development in our area. Starting in 2010 we worked with community educators to help develop and improve the local defense community’s ability to attract and retain the required talent to effectively execute business and improved interaction between the defense industry and suppliers in the region for accomplishment of better services to defense and homeland security customers.
Our Mission
The general mission of the NIDIA is to address issues and opportunities facing the Northeast Indiana defense industry community. Specifically, the NIDIA will: (1) take actions to work with community educators to develop and improve the local defense community’s ability to develop, attract, retain, the required talent to effectively execute business opportunities, (2) foster the increased and improved interaction between the defense industry and suppliers in the region for accomplishment of better services to defense and homeland security customers. (3) perform as an advocacy group for the defense industry in the Northeast Indiana region (4) provide liaison with local, state, and federal governmental agencies, elected officials, legislatures, and special groups and committees, to advance defense industry opportunities’ in the Northeast Indiana region to support economic development.
- Take actions to work with community educators to develop and improve the local defense community’s ability to develop, attract, retain, the required talent to effectively execute business opportunities.
- Work with academic organizations to suggest improved technical education opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate level. Work with area high schools and middle schools to encourage careers in math & science.
- Foster the increased and improved interaction between the defense industry and suppliers in the region for accomplishment of better services to defense and homeland security customers.
- Foster increased communications between local defense companies and suppliers as well interaction among the defense companies to develop better teaming opportunities, to jointly develop solutions to community –wide defense issues and to improve service offerings to defense customers.
- Hold periodic luncheons and invite guest speakers to provide opportunities for networking and information exchange.
- Hold monthly membership meetings
- Perform as an advocacy group for the defense industry in the Northeast Indiana region.
- Enhance awareness of the local defense industry through local media resources and through its large employee base on how it has a positive impact on the region’s economy.
- Provide liaison with local, state, and federal governmental agencies, elected officials, legislatures, and special groups and committees, to advance defense industry opportunities’ in the Northeast Indiana region to support economic development.
- Support funding to enhance the technical education opportunities and research.
| Board of Directors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Menshy Raytheon Chair |
Tim White ITT Communications Systems Co-Chair |
Scott Maddox Northrop Grumman Treasurer |
| Brian Koehlinger Navistar Inc. Secretary |
Jeff Uhey General Dynamics |
Joe Peters Ultra Electronics – USSI |