What’s Brewing Power Breakfasts

Mr. Angel moved into this position in January 2025. He is responsible for convening key AAM stakeholders to foster collaborative efforts aligning with Ohio’s industry strategy while attracting, expanding, and retaining AAM partners, companies, and suppliers. Angel has a distinguished career in aviation, aerospace, military, and innovation. He was most recently the Director of Projects and Business Development for Aerospace & Defense for the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC), part of the JobsOhio network of regional economic development partners. He also served 27 years in the United States Air Force.

National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE)

Located at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, NAAMCE supports the expanding work of manufacturers and operators of advanced air mobility vehicles, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

In this role, Noel implements new technology focus areas to ensure alignment with Department of Defense priorities, directs large scope complex projects and programs, leads LIFT member involvement in technology projects, and serves as a mentor to LIFT technical and engineering staff. Noel brings over 35 years of experience in engineering and design to LIFT.

LIFT is a nonprofit, public-private partnership between industry, academia, and government that supports our nation’s economy and enhances its national security by accelerating innovative advanced manufacturing technology and talent development. It is part of the Manufacturing USA – a national network of linked manufacturing institutes. Each has a unique technological concentration, but is also designed to accelerate U.S. advanced manufacturing as a whole.

Dr. Thompson leads the CCAT Advanced Technology Center, which includes technology, talent development, and training teams, leading them to become a unified powerhouse that delivers end-to-end services to manufacturers, supporting their technology adoption journey. Dr. Thompson holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Rhode Island. She previously served as an Associate Director of the Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering at the University of Connecticut where she led the development and execution of their graduate systems engineering programs. Her research in digital engineering, complex systems, and MBSE has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, AFRL, and NIUVT. Her technical expertise spans model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, smart and energy-efficient manufacturing and facilities, supply chain design and operation, and engineering education. She serves on multiple technical advisory boards and industry coalitions, further amplifying CCAT’s mission to accelerate innovation through public-private collaboration.

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) is an innovative applied technology organization that is mission-driven to support manufacturers in addressing supply chain resiliency, developing the industrial workforce, and scaling technology adoption within both small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) and OEMs. As an applied technology demonstration and training center, CCAT validates, demonstrates, and assists with the adoption of leading-edge technologies to enable a resilient manufacturing supply chain & industrial base, while providing vital training & upskilling. CCAT is a low-cost provider that can quickly deploy resources, expand teams, bring on service providers and partners, and execute program goals and objectives at high speed and with agility.