WHO WE ARE
The Aircraft Carrier Industrial Base Coalition (ACIBC) represents the more than 2,000 businesses from 44 states that supply parts, equipment and services for the construction and maintenance of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. Established in 2004, ACIBC seeks to preserve the strength of the aircraft carrier force and promote the value of the aircraft carrier industrial base as a vital part of the nation’s overall defense structure.
CONTACT ACIBC
General Inquiries
Media Inquiries
Steve Bassermann
steve@acibc.org
ACIBC LEADERSHIP
Widely recognized as leaders in the aircraft carrier industry, our coalition’s leadership brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the coalition that is critical in advocating and raising awareness for the aircraft carrier industrial base.
Lisa Dante Papini
Chairwoman
President
Dante Valve Company
Lisa Dante Papini is the President of both Dante Valve Company and Danco Valve Company. Dante Valve Company is a distributor of valves and related products for both defense and commercial applications. Danco Valve Company manufactures a variety of military specification valves for shipboard applications.
Darrell Grow
Vice-Chair
Chief Operating Officer
AMMCON
Darrell Grow is the Chief Operating Officer of AMMCON Corporation in Hillsboro, Oregon. AMMCON corporation manufactures pipe fittings and flanges for the defense industry and machined components for the heavy equipment, pump and aerospace industries.
Jim Kenny
Vice-Chair
Vice President of Navy Affairs
Fairbanks Morse Defense
Jim Kenny currently serves as the Vice President of Navy Affairs for Fairbanks Morse Defense. He previously served as Executive Director at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), where he was responsible for all Hull, Mechanical and Electrical (HM&E) equipment on Navy Ships, Aircraft Carriers, and Submarines. He has also worked at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Norfolk Naval Shipyard where he oversaw all aspects of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant work.
Ben Thacker
Regional Board Member
Southern Region
Government Sales and Compliance
LEVEL ONE FASTENERS INC
Ben Thacker is a Government Technical Sales Officer for Level 1 Fasteners, which manufactures and stocks fasteners for military, aerospace, aircraft, medical, valve, and oil drilling applications.
Harry Epstein
Regional Board Member
Northeast Region
Chief Executive Officer
Marine Electric Systems
Harry Epstein is the Chief Executive Officer of Marine Electric Systems, a Department of Defense contractor since 1942 that manufactures process control instrumentation, power systems, proximity sensors, explosive detection equipment, audio aides and navigational aides.
Peter Borden
Regional Board Member
Mid-Western Region
VP Strategic Sales & Marketing
General Tool Company
Peter Borden is VP of Strategic Sales & Marketing at General Tool Company in Cincinnati, OH. GTC is a small business that has provided systems and hardware for U.S. Navy ships since the 1970’s. Currently, the company supplies EMALS and AAG hardware for Ford-class aircraft carriers.
Randy Mellinger
Regional Board Member
Western Region
Chief Executive Officer
Mellinger Engineering
Randy Mellinger is the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Mellinger Engineering Inc., a family owned specialty valve manufacturing company. With over 50 years of engineering experience, Randy is considered to be an expert in his field. MEI continues to be awarded crucial contracts from the defense department and is respected as a critical valve supplier to the United States Navy.
Rob Hogan
Regional Board Member
Mid-Atlantic Region
Defense Industrial Base Consultant
| Former VP of Manufacturing and Material Distribution
Newport News Shipbuilding
Rob Hogan retired in 2018 as Vice President of Manufacturing and Material Distribution for Newport News Shipbuilding, where he was responsible for manufacturing, material warehousing, delivery, and logistics in support of all shipbuilding programs. Since his retirement, he has remained active as a senior advisor to several companies in the aircraft carrier supply base. He began his career with the shipyard as a welder and has held positions at all levels of production and construction.
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