The Aerospace & Defense Forum
Breakfast and Check-in
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
Meeting and Presentation
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Networking
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Sheppard Mullin Del Mar Office
12275 El Camino Real, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92130
Featuring Guest Speaker:
Joel Benkie
President & COO, Ducommun Inc.
About Ducommun
Through its global operations, Ducommun Incorporated (NYSE: DCO) provides engineering and manufacturing services to the aerospace, defense, industrial, energy, medical and other industries through a wide spectrum of electronic and structural applications. The company is an established supplier of mission-critical components and assemblies for commercial and military aircraft, and missile and space programs, as well as for the energy market, medical field, and industrial automation. It operates through two primary business units-Ducommun AeroStructures and Ducommun LaBarge Technologies. Ducommun was founded in 1849.
About the Speaker
Joel Benkie is president and chief operating officer for Ducommun Incorporated. In this role, Benkie is responsible for driving the company's key strategic and operational objectives. He leads all areas of Ducommun's operations, including business development and the company's strategic business units in the United States and abroad.
Benkie's career in manufacturing leadership spans more than three decades. He joined Ducommun as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2012 after 17 years with Parker Hannifin Corporation where he last served as vice president of operations for the company's Parker Aerospace unit. He was general manager of Parker's Control Systems division between 1999 and 2003, and was named general manager of the Servo-Controls division after joining the company in 1995. While with Parker, he served on the board of directors of ACE Services, a Parker Hannifin joint venture. Benkie began his professional career with Honeywell (formerly AlliedSignal Aerospace) in 1980 and, during his 15 years with the organization, held increasingly responsible operational management roles in marketing, assembly and test, manufacturing, and materials management.
Benkie holds an MBA from Indiana University and earned his bachelor's degree in general management from Purdue University. He also attended Harvard Business School and University of Chicago executive development programs. Supporters of Cal Poly Pomona (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona), Benkie and his wife Mary fund scholarships for students at the university who demonstrate leadership initiative. Benkie is a member of the National Development Council, a university advisory panel of influential business leaders, and serves on the Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering Leadership Board.
About the Forum
The Aerospace and Defense Forum is a global aerospace and defense leadership community of over 850 individuals that provides opportunities for sharing of information, current events, and analysis, mutual support and encouragement, partnering, innovation, and performance breakthroughs.
- Attendance at this event is free for A&D Forum members, $40 for non-members.
- Parking is free--located next to both entrances of the building.
- A light continental breakfast will be available starting at 7:15 a.m.
- Bring a business card--they will be duplicated and everyone will get a copy of all attendees' cards.
- Attire is business casual.
Questions? Contact Rheanna Smith at rsmith@sheppardmullin.com.