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September 5, 2002
ROCKEFELLER HOSTS AEROSPACE TRADE DELEGATION
-Japanese Executives Considering Investments in West Virginia-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) welcomed a group of Japanese aerospace industry executives to Washington on Wednesday. The visiting delegation is representing ten aerospace parts manufacturers and suppliers who are interested in making investments in North America. Rockefeller had met with three of the companies last year in Japan. Rockefeller, who organized the trade mission along with the Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation, the WV-Japan Office and the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, was optimistic about the chances of landing another aerospace company in West Virginia.
"This is about building upon a growing industry in West Virginia," Rockefeller said. "Our state has so much to offer, and as more companies locate here it creates interest from related industries. Governor Wise and I both believe it’s about creating and sustaining momentum, and it’s about knowing how to match a state’s strengths with a company’s needs."
During Wednesday’s events, the trade delegation met with Marion Blakey, President Bush’s nominee to head the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During a mini-conference led by Rockefeller, the group met with representatives from NASA, the National Transportation and Safety Board, the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry, the Aerospace Industry Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and Boeing Aircraft company. Governor Wise joined Rockefeller in Washington for a welcoming reception on Wednesday evening.
Susan Chernenko, director of the WV Aeronautics Commission, said, "The chance to meet with this prestigious group and share our successes with them is very exciting. The trade delegation has demonstrated a sincere interest in West Virginia, and the opportunities for developing partnerships look very promising."
Events scheduled for the five-day trade mission include private visits to existing aerospace companies in West Virginia, including the Sino-Swearingen and Tiger Aircraft companies in Berkeley county. The delegation will also be in Harrison county, paying visits to Lockheed Martin in Clarksburg, Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier and Aurora Flight Sciences in Bridgeport. The trade delegation will be shown several other industrial sites in West Virginia, and will also attend events hosted by Shepherd College and West Virginia University.
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Mr. Taiichi Okada - The Ishida Foundation
Mr. Toshikazu - Nakashima Special Steel
Mr. Kazuya Makino - ShinMaywa
Mr. Hirokazu Takahashi - Takahashi Teknia
Mr. Hiroshige Takahashi - Takahashi Teknia
Mr. Tetsuya Masuda - Daikin Industries, LTD.
Mr. Toyohiko Aoki - Aoki Incorporated
Mr. Tadahiro Minami - Minami Tekkousyo Co., LTD.
Mr. Tomoyuki Minami - Minami Tekousyo Co., LTD.
Mr. Yoshitaka Nomura - Teijin Seiki Co., LTD.
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