Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance

What Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance does

The Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA) is a private, membership-based industry coalition that serves as the unified voice for Georgia's aerospace and defense sector. It was founded by five flagship members — Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety International, and RTX (parent of Pratt & Whitney) — and is headquartered at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, with co-located access to the Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC) for government and Department of Defense research collaboration. The organization is led by Chairman John "Jay" Neely III (who also chairs the Georgia Department of Economic Development) and Executive Director Ember Bishop Bentley (who concurrently serves as Mercer University's Vice President of External Affairs).

GADA does not sell products or services; instead it operates an association revenue model funded by membership dues from founding, industry, and institutional members. Its functional offering consists of industry advocacy, policy coordination, workforce development programming, and convening events — most notably the annual State of the Industry Luncheon (held each Q4) and Georgia Aerospace Day at the Capitol (held each Q1 at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta). Membership extends beyond the five founders to include additional industry members (Boeing, TERMA, DVI Training Systems), six higher education partners (Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern University, Savannah Technical College, Middle Georgia State University), and economic development partners (Georgia Power, Savannah Economic Development Authority).

The organization addresses workforce pipeline, policy alignment, and inter-firm collaboration challenges for a sector that, by GADA's own metrics, generates $57.5 billion in annual economic impact and employs over 200,000 Georgians in aerospace-related careers. Its competitive position rests on convening authority rather than proprietary technology — GADA has no AI/ML products, no patents, and no commercial product lines, and its staff footprint is small (1–10 employees). Strategic value is delivered through network coordination, state-level lobbying, and integration with Georgia's economic development apparatus rather than through productized revenue.

Name

Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance

Legal name

Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance

Website

https://georgiaaero.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

GADA is a private, membership-based industry coalition founded by five major aerospace and defense employers (Gulfstream, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety, RTX) that convenes Georgia's aerospace sector for policy advocacy, workforce development, and industry events, operating from Mercer University in Macon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace & Defense Industry Alliance

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Niche Airline Alliances (THABAHAB)

Keywords

• Aerospace industry alliance
• Defense industry coalition
• Workforce development programs
• Industry policy advocacy
• Aviation manufacturing ecosystem

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership and Industry Collaboration: GADA operates as an alliance supported by founding members (Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety International, and RTX) and membership dues from industry and educational members. Revenue is generated through membership contributions that fund industry initiatives, workforce development, and policy advocacy.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

GADA is a membership-based industry alliance that unites Georgia's leading aerospace companies, defense contractors, and higher education institutions to serve as a unified voice for the state's aerospace and defense sector. The alliance delivers value through policy advocacy, workforce development coordination, strategic collaboration, and hosted industry events such as the annual State of the Industry Luncheon and Georgia Aerospace Day at the Capitol. Founded by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety International, and RTX, the alliance is headquartered at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

Product overview

The Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA) is an industry alliance and economic development organization, not a product company. It does not offer distinct commercial products or services for sale. GADA serves as a unified voice for Georgia's aerospace and defense industry, providing advocacy, workforce development support, policy shaping, and strategic collaboration among member companies including Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety International, and RTX. The organization's offerings include networking events such as the State of the Industry Luncheon and Georgia Aerospace Day at the Capitol, as well as member coordination and economic development initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industry Alliance Membership Recurring membership in the Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance providing organizations with access to industry collaboration, policy advocacy, workforce development initiatives, networking events, and strategic connection to Georgia's aerospace and defense ecosystem. Available to founding members, industry members, and higher education members.
• State of the Industry Luncheon Annual hosted gathering of Georgia's aerospace and defense industry leaders, held in Q4. Showcases industry achievements and facilitates high-level networking among enterprise-level aerospace companies and defense contractors.
• Georgia Aerospace Day at the Capitol Annual advocacy event held at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, typically held in Q1. Brings together aerospace industry representatives with legislators to advocate for aerospace industry interests and policy priorities.

Quantifiable outcome

• $57.5 billion in annual economic impact
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of GADA. Gulfstream is a world-class business jet manufacturer with major operations in Savannah, Georgia. Represents the pinnacle of aerospace manufacturing in Georgia. President Mark Burns has stated support for GADA's mission to bolster Georgia's aerospace and defense industry.
• Lockheed MartinflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of GADA. Lockheed Martin brings seven decades of innovation from Marietta, Georgia, specializing in air mobility and maritime missions. VP Roderick McLean has noted GADA's role as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration.
• Rolls-RoyceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of GADA. Rolls-Royce operates a 62,000 sq. ft. customer support facility in Savannah. Employs over 5,000 people in the U.S. and supports hundreds of American suppliers, demonstrating lasting investment in U.S. jobs and industrial competitiveness.
• FlightSafety InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of GADA. FlightSafety provides state-of-the-art training facilities in Georgia. President Barbara Telek has emphasized commitment to advancing Georgia's leadership in aerospace through training and workforce infrastructure.
• RTX (Pratt & Whitney)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of GADA. RTX's Pratt & Whitney operates engine production facilities in Georgia. With 100 years of aviation history, Pratt & Whitney pushes boundaries of aviation technology from early engines to modern propulsion systems.
• Mercer UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic host of GADA headquarters. Mercer University in Macon provides a strategic location for statewide economic development, research, and innovation. Also home to the Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), the non-profit research arm providing solutions to government agencies and the Department of Defense.
• Georgia Institute of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education Member. Georgia Tech is home to the nation's top-ranked public aerospace engineering undergraduate and graduate programs, serving as a critical workforce pipeline for GADA member companies.
• University of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education Member. UGA offers interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees preparing students to solve aerospace and engineering challenges facing society.
• Kennesaw State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education Member. KSU provides a new Aerospace Engineering degree offering a robust foundation in engineering, mathematics, and science to prepare students for aerospace industry challenges.
• Georgia Southern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education Member. Georgia Southern's engineering program serves as a launching pad for aspiring aerospace engineers, providing hands-on experience and contributing to cutting-edge research.
• Savannah Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education Member. Partners with SCCPSS and Gulfstream on the Aviation Manufacturing and Service Program for high school students in Chatham County, as well as aircraft structural training programs.
• Middle Georgia State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher Education Member. Home to Georgia's flagship School of Aviation. One of only nine schools in the U.S. with three FAA-certified programs including Maintenance Training, Flight Training, and Air Traffic Control Collegiate Training. Most affordable of the nine.
• The Boeing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry Member. Boeing is a leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter developing, manufacturing, and servicing commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
• TERMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry Member. Terma Inc., headquartered in Cobb County, works closely with customers and partners worldwide to develop technologies that keep people safe.
• DVI Training SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry Member. DVITS specializes in cutting-edge, interactive video-based curricula that prepare military personnel for challenges they'll face in the field.
• Georgia PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic Development Partner. For almost a century, Georgia Power has helped the state grow and prosper by locating new businesses. Has supported over 1,100 projects resulting in 219,000 jobs and $93B+ in new capital investment.
• Savannah Economic Development AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic Development Partner. Creates, grows, and attracts jobs and investments in the Savannah region, supporting aerospace manufacturing operations including Gulfstream and Rolls-Royce facilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): National trade association for business aviation, including manufacturers like Gulfstream. Comparable to GADA in serving business aviation employers and hosting industry events, though NBAA operates nationally and is business-aviation specific.
• Association of the United States Army (AUSA): Professional association representing the U.S. Army and its industry partners. Comparable to GADA's defense-advocacy and event-driven model (e.g., annual expositions), though AUSA is military-branch specific rather than state/regional aerospace.
• National Defense Industrial Association: U.S. trade association for the defense industrial base. Comparable to GADA in mission (advocacy, networking, workforce) and overlapping membership (Lockheed Martin, RTX/Pratt & Whitney), but it operates nationally with a much larger staff and budget.
• Aerospace Industries Association: National trade association representing U.S. aerospace and defense manufacturers. Comparable to GADA as an industry-association model serving overlapping member companies (Lockheed, Boeing, RTX), but operating at federal rather than state level.

Others

• Women in Aviation International: Nonprofit organization supporting workforce development and networking in aviation and aerospace. Comparable to GADA in its workforce-development pillar and event-driven engagement model, though focused on demographics rather than regional industry representation.

Direct peers

• Aviation Suppliers Association: Industry association for aerospace suppliers. Comparable to GADA in mission and membership-overlap with aerospace manufacturers, but focused on the supplier tier and operating nationally rather than regionally.

Regional players

• Space Florida: Florida's aerospace and space industry economic development authority. Directly comparable to GADA as a state-level aerospace industry alliance/development organization, but operating in Florida with a stronger focus on space launch and commercial space.
• Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce (Aerospace & Defense Council): Regional chamber convening aerospace and defense employers in the Austin, Texas corridor. Comparable to GADA as a regional economic development vehicle for aerospace/defense employers, though structured as a chamber council rather than a standalone alliance.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/georgiaaero
• Facebookfacebook.com/georgia.aerospace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance