Aerospace & Defense MBA Program Hits the Road

6/8/2012

KNOXVILLE, TENN.—Students from the University of Tennessee’s Aerospace & Defense MBA spent four days visiting top aerospace and defense organizations across the Tennessee Valley.

The trip was part of an intensive, year-long executive MBA program tailored for high-potential professionals across the unique industry. Participants come from every sector of the vital industry and work in virtually every professional function. The current class of 25 students includes students from more than 15 states. The students and participating faculty and staff members visited government and industry organizations in middle Tennessee and northern Alabama to observe the application of business principles they have been studying in classrooms at UT. 

“Our trip included visits to top organizations and extended discussions with top executives for organizations playing vital roles in the economic and military security of the country.  Our industry-focused program allows us to take a deeper look at a vital industry and leverage close relationships with some key leaders and organizations all across A&D,” explained Dr. Andy White, program director. 

The trip included visits to world-renowned organizations playing diverse roles in the industry, including:

  • Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold Air Force Base
  • The University of Tennessee Space Institute
  • Micro Craft Technology
  • Goodrich Landing Gear facility
  • NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
  • The Army’s Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Command (AMRDEC)
  • Lockheed Martin Huntsville Campus
  • Dynetics Corporation

The students and participating faculty members learned from leaders of hosting organizations and from each other in a variety of settings. Besides plant visits and board rooms, the trip included a thought leader panel held at the Beachcraft Heritage Museum and a dinner hosted for area business leaders at the famous, Jack Daniels Distillery. 

“We learned a great deal in a short amount of time. We heard from leaders of numerous organizations with very diverse missions—from R&D to program management and manufacturing. We visited the Air Force, Army, NASA, academia and supporting contractors. We introduced our students to business processes and challenges in sectors of this industry very different from their own. That can be very powerful,” said White.

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