October 27, 2011

Rockford Aerospace Companies attend Embry-Riddle Job Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2011
 
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS -On October 19, B/E Aerospace and the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, from the Rockford Area Aerospace Network (RAAN), were in Daytona Beach, Fla., to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's (ERAU) Job Fair and discuss employment opportunities available in the Rockford/Chicago region.  The flow of students and alumni to the RAAN booth was constant, according to Pam Appino, human resources manager of B/E Aerospace, and Eric Voyles, vice president of national business development for the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. "Nearly every student at ERAU turned out for the job fair.  These young professionals were highly motivated and interested in opportunities in the upper Midwest," Voyles said. "I was impressed by the number of students originally from the Midwest who said they wanted to find employment close to home."
 
RAAN member, Hamilton Sundstrand, also had a booth at the job fair. "We met several talented students and newly-graduated engineers, many of whom I believe could be great additions to our company," said Tom Gillis, director of engineering for Hamilton Sundstrand Electric Systems. "Several have already visited our facility in Rockford, Ill., and we will welcome others over the course of several weeks.  I was not surprised to find exceptional candidates at this job fair; it's yet another indication of the commonality shared by Embry-Riddle and Hamilton Sundstrand."
 
Chicago-based AAR also met with students. Both companies reported lines of prospects waiting to talk with recruiters about employment opportunities. "We love ERAU and their graduates", said Greg Dillinger, director of recruiting for AAR. "If AAR's participation at this job fair helps ERAU to decide to continue to grow educational programing in Rockford, that is all the better for AAR and ultimately ERAU.  The upper Midwest needs ERAU!"
 
This was the first job fair in which RAAN has participated.  "It was a success.  RAAN members were able to attend a job fair that they had not participated in before," Voyles said. "We collected resumes at the booth and forwarded them to RAAN members.  So, even the companies that could not attend were able to participate."
   
 
 
 ABOUT THE RAEDC
The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by marketing the area and helping employers retain and create quality jobs. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to serve as a one-stop resource for clients, to improve the competitiveness of the region, and to engage the community in the work of economic development.  
 
 
ABOUT THE RAAN   
RAAN (Rockford Area Aerospace Network) is the Rockford region's aerospace industry cluster development strategy.  RAAN is a committee of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and offers a platform for collaboration among local aerospace companies.
 
 
   
 Picture of Greg Dillinger,Eric Voyles and Pam Appino at the ERAU Job Fair  in Daytona Beach.
 


FOR MORE INFORMATION
 
Eric Voyles
Vice President of
National Business Development
815.969.4256 office
evoyles@rockfordil.com
www.rockfordil.com