WAIAM - Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan

The Women of Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM) actively works to create advocacy, education, and visibility for women and girls in aerospace across Michigan. WAIAM strives to support all platforms and promote advancement for women within the industry through outreach, mentorship and representation.

Outreach

Building networks and relationships with other affinity groups in the aerospace industry in Michigan to promote women in the talent pipeline, from K-12 and beyond.

Mentorship

Providing access, resources and a support network for both girls interested in aerospace and women already working in the industry.

Representation

Recognizing the role that women already play in aerospace and provide visibility of those roles and pathways for future generations.

Connecting through engaging and inspiring events

June 2023 – ONWARD Peer Coaching Mastermind Workshop WAIAM had the opportunity to be an event partner along with The Right Place, Inc. to bring the ONWARD workshop to Michigan. Through events like this, WAIAM is actively working to support women in the aerospace industry through peer mentorship.

April 2023 – WAIAM Internal Luncheon WAIAM’s first bi-annual luncheon of 2023 in Lansing, MI was a great way to get together, forge some new connections, and gain valuable tips from other women in the industry.

March 2023 – Women’s Aviation Career Symposium WAIAM exhibited and was a “Silver Sponsor” at the 5th Annual Women’s Aviation Career Symposium at Western Michigan University on March 18th!

November 2022 – WAIAM Internal Luncheon WAIAM’s most recent internal luncheon was a success! Several ladies from AIAM got together in Petoskey, MI for lunch, an afternoon of networking, and discussions on the future of WAIAM.

July 2022 – Macomb County Girl Scouts Space Camp On July 20th, 2022, WAIAM volunteers attended the Macomb County Girl Scouts Space Camp and helped 41 girls, aged 6-14, earn their Stem Career Exploration Badge.

April 2022 – Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge In April of 2022, WAIAM launched the Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge- a virtual state-wide aerospace competition spanning over four weeks.

May 2021 – Women of Aerospace Virtual Event Together with FIRST in Michigan, WAIAM hosted the Women of Aerospace virtual seminar for girls of all ages on May 15th, 2021. Presenters featured working women from NASA and many Michigan-based companies.

Meet Our Committee

Barron Industries

Lissa Barron

Director of Communications

WAIAM Co-Chair | Lissa Barron is Director of Communications for Barron Industries – a family-owned manufacturer of cast and machined engineered metal components and assembled systems. With its beginnings in 1923, Barron is celebrating 100 years in the metal casting industry. The company started as a Detroit foundry, mostly serving the exploding automotive industry. Fast forward to today – Barron Industries is now a global turnkey manufacturer offering everything from design for manufacturing to complete supply chain management. Lissa joined the family business after a 30-year career in journalism working as a news reporter and producer for print and broadcast media outlets in the United States and Canada, her native land. She earned a BA in Journalism at Ryerson University in Toronto. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Lissa became a U.S. citizen and resides with her husband Bruce Barron, the 3rd generation owner of the family business. They have four children and one grandchild. Lissa is a Co-Chair of the Women of the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM) and a founding member of the women’s water basketball team at the Detroit Athletic Club. She enjoys travelling, especially to visit her extended family in northern Italy. Read More

Woodward, Inc.

Angela Kimber

Senior Mechanical Engineer

WAIAM Co-Chair | Angela Kimber is a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Product Design at Woodward Inc., where focuses on design of fuel nozzles for gas turbine combustion engines, as well as research and development of materials for high temperature and alternative fuels. She received her bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of Washington in 2017 and her master’s in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan in 2019. Outside of her multidisciplinary approach to engineering, she enjoys influencing public policy by active participation in local, state, and federal government advocacy. Mentorship and outreach are cornerstones of her career in science and engineering, and she is passionate about supporting and mentoring students in STEM fields across the country as an active, professional member of the Society of Women Engineers. As the Co-Chair for the Women of AIAM, she is able to further develop supportive networks and pipelines for younger generations interested in STEM and aerospace careers locally within Michigan state. Long-term career goals include corporate leadership and service in legislative positions, bridging science and public policy through industry, academia, and advocacy. When at home, she can be found reading (science or historical fiction), riding her bike, or enjoying the beautiful West Michigan outdoors with her husband and their three daughters. Read More

Autocam Medical

Sara McMurray

VP of Sales and Marketing,

Sara McMurray, VP of Sales and Marketing for Autocam Medical – a global contract manufacturer of precision-machined components – is an accomplished executive with 23 years of experience in manufacturing. Sara is responsible for developing strategies to support the company’s strategic growth objective and plans geared towards existing and new international markets. She is an accessible leader, managing a global sales and marketing team to drive best in class business development and account management performance. Prior to joining Autocam Medical, Ms. McMurray was Director of Sales & Marketing for Premier Thermal. At Premier Thermal she was instrumental in forming the direction of the company by managing the sales and marketing organization, leading expansion into new markets (industries and geography) and assessing strategic M&A opportunities. Her manufacturing industry experience is vast and includes, aerospace, agriculture, automotive, defense, material handling, and medical. Sara began her career as an Executive Recruiter specializing in the recruitment of engineering and IT professionals. She joined Bodycote as an Account Manager in 2003 and moved to Specialty Heat Treating as Sales Manager in 2007. After a 5-year period in the plastics industry as a Global Sales and Customer Service Director for Flow-Rite Controls and Director of Medical Sales for Custom Profile, she returned to the heat treating industry and joined the Premier Thermal Sr. Leadership team in 2018. Ms. McMurray is known for being a high-achieving sales, customer service, and marketing leader finding solutions for customers and employees. She thrives in executing market strategy and change culture. In 2021, Sara was appointed to the Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan’s Board of Directors. Sara is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University, where she earned her B.A. in Organizational Communication and a minor in Women’s Studies.

Array of Engineers

Stacy Paul

CEO and Aerospace Engineer

Stacy Paul is an aerospace engineer and the CEO of Array of Engineers. Since 2000, Stacy has worked in the aerospace industry supporting various projects ranging from the manned space program at NASA to modern commercial aircraft to planetary exploration programs. Stacy grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan where she found her love of exploring, creativity and the night sky. She graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1999 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. After graduating she worked on the Space Shuttle and Space Station program for the United Space Alliance at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Stacy supported technical Day of Launch activities in the Mission Control Room and worked on Space Shuttle enhancements outside of launch operations. Missing Michigan, Stacy moved back in 2005 and supported numerous commercial aircraft projects which included software development, verification activities, and project management. Following a long held personal dream, Stacy sought to create a company to help bring more high technology and creative engineering jobs to Michigan. A company that would promote innovation, personal and professional growth, and STEM for younger generations. In early 2018, Stacy helped form Array of Engineers, a company dedicated to advancing these core values. Array of Engineers specializes in automated testing, embedded software, and custom hardware design. In addition to its core values, the company differentiates itself by empowering their customers and partners with self-sustaining automation capabilities and maximum design flexibility. Array of Engineers has supported a variety of satellite, space vehicle, and planetary exploration programs at NASA, numerous commercial aerospace projects, and multiple defense programs. Outside of work, you can likely find Stacy enjoying outdoor activities with her family and many pets, reading a good book, or supporting STEM activities for younger generations.

I.F.Metalworks

Karen Arondoski

President/Owner

Karen Arondoski is the founder of I. F. Metalworks, a design and fabrication company that was started in April 2002. The company started in an 8,000 square foot facility and is now in a 40,000 square foot facility. It was started due to a need for paint tool parts for General Motors and has grown to include automotive, industrial, architectural, aerospace and signs for all industries. The company started with 3 employees and currently has 25 employees and still adding. Before opening I.F.Metalworks, Karen worked in the medical field for 25 years and also worked in Public Relations for a school district where she was asked to be involved and sit on the Board of a non-profit organization called Cruisin’ Gratiot in Eastpointe, MI where she later was asked to serve as the President until her husband became ill where she stepped down to devote time to taking care of him. Karen also served on the committee of USA Cares, another non-profit assisting military families. Karen and her late husband Mike have two children, Michael, and Michela and all four of them devoted a lot of their time as volunteers in the community. Karen and Mike felt it was important to teach their children to give back. I.F. Metalworks also became a sponsor of an organization called CSI, an organization to advance building information management and education of project teams to improve facility performance. Karen also sits on the Manufacturing Growth Alliance Board as well as the St. Clair/Macomb County Workforce Development Board. Karen started the company with the need for welding and fabrication and has increased the companies’ capabilities through the years adding CNC Machining, Waterjet, flat and tube laser, Hexagon Metrology for Dimensional Measurements, Inspection room and full CAD capabilities. A few of their clients and projects they worked on include: Edsel and Eleanor Ford House Detroit Train Station Brookside Condominiums Detroit Institute of Arts Detroit Science Center Cranbrook Schools (tennis courts and Museum) St. Paul’s Church in Grosse Pointe Macomb County Library Ivy Farms in Bloomfield Hills, MI National Park in Alaska Detroit Recreational Facilities Several School District remodels/additions Oakland University (several items as well as work for Meadowbrook) DTE DTE VIP Lounge railings Wayne State University Karen and I F Metalworks received several awards/recognitions as well. They include: 2004 Best Small Business of the Year Award from the Small Business Administration, 2006 Woman of Distinction from the Girl Scouts, 2009 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch and 2011 WID Business Development Team I.F.Metalworks has several certifications including: AS-9100 Certified ISO 9001:2015 Certified ITAR Compliant WBENC Certified Woman-Owned Small Business AWS Certified Welding Inspector on staff AWS Certified Welding Educator on staff Karen enjoys family, traveling, photography and business development. Read More

IQ Manufacturing

Hallie Haupt

Social Media Manager

Hallie is the Social Media Manager at IQ Manufacturing headquartered in Auburn Hills, MI. IQ was founded in June of 2015 by Chris Braniecki and Kelly Vaught initially intended to support the production of BallFrog, a tennis training device the two had invented together. It did not take them long to realize that the potential of IQ extended beyond that and have since then built a very successful company. IQ Manufacturing is a job shop specializing in high mix / low volume work in the Aerospace, Automotive, Defense, and Automation Industries. Hallie joined the IQ team in April of 2021. She fell into the manufacturing industry by complete accident in 2020, with no intentions of staying long term. After a year in the industry, she made the switch to work for IQ Manufacturing and has pushed to grow even more in the manufacturing world. With a background in media and communications she has brought her experience to the IQ Manufacturing team. While utilizing cutting-edge techniques and an understanding of the manufacturing industry, Hallie works to create and implement effective social media content that drives engagement for the company. While also building brand awareness for the industry altogether in hopes of influencing the next generation to join the sector.

Array of Engineers

Lauren Meijer

Project Manager Assistant & Accounts Payable

Lauren Meijer is a team member at Array of Engineers, her roles include being part of the finance and HR department, as well as assistant project manager. Lauren enjoys developing her skills in each department she interacts with at work. Outside of work you can find Lauren enjoying one of her many hobbies such as crochet and gardening.

Orbitform

Jessica Laughlin

Marketing and Brand Specialist

Jessica is the Marketing and Branding Specialist for Orbitform, located in Jackson, MI. Orbitform designs, manufactures, and builds permanent assembly equipment that OEMs and integrators use to fasten or form two or more workpieces. In her first three years with Orbitform, she developed her skills in photography and videography as part of their Intentional Career Growth program. Leveraging these skills, Jessica works to educate customers and prospects about permanent assembly on multiple digital platforms. She continues to focus on marketing strategies and helped develop action plans for the Orbitform Marketing Growth Engine. Prior to Orbitform, Jessica was a Graphic Designer and Web Developer for Saunders Book Company in Collingwood, Ontario. During her 14 years with the company, she designed and produced nearly 50 catalogs and illustrated all covers. This is also where she increased her knowledge of designing and building websites. Before moving to Canada, Jessica started her career journey at Kolossos Printing Inc.-a family-owned business-in Ann Arbor, MI. During the six years with Kolossos Printing, Jessica explored multiple graphic design divisions in the sign department, service bureau, pre-press, and finishing work. This was after obtaining an associate degree in visual communications from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. When she is not engrossed in her computer or latest craft project, she is likely spending time outdoors with her fiancé, four boys, and their puppy. Read More