SALT LAKE CITY—Former Congressman Chris Stewart has been appointed as chair of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association. The organization “promotes and advocates for companies that are developing the next generation of aerospace and defense technology.”

Stewart resigned from Congress last month citing his wife’s health. While in office, he served on the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Appropriations Committee.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Stewart. “It sits so well with what I’ve done my whole life as a young Air Force pilot and on national security defense. I sat in a room (in Washington) where we talked about national security. How can I not use some of those things I learned?” 

The organization is new and growing quickly, he said. “It’s an honor to be appointed to the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.”

The association works with a combination of small companies and large companies in the aerospace industry, said Stewart. “Most people think it’s just Hill Air Force Base but the industry’s more than 1,000 companies in Utah and 100 companies that are smaller, make up 20% of the state’s economy. They’re making parts for Boeing, manufacturing munitions and making strides in AI and with computers.”

Twenty percent of Utah’s economy is based on defense, he said. “The association helped draft a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Ukrainian officials to help them create technology they can use against Russia. It’s important for us to help Ukraine defend against Russia.”

Brand new companies get a real benefit with the association, Stewart said. “Most of them have no idea how to contract with the DoD (Department of Defense) or how complicated it is. They don’t have the capital and the DoD needs to accelerate that when they see innovative technology and not take three years to get on board. We’ll help them invest and help them work through the red tape.”

Stewart said he’s been involved in the association for the last year or so. “I admired them when I was in Congress. When they asked if I’d be interested in working with them it was a natural extension. It was a difficult decision to leave (Congress), especially in the middle of a term. It’s not something I wanted to do.”

A lot of the companies are members of the association already, he said. “They’re doing constant outreach to bring others in as well as universities. Universities understand the demand for industry and they can provide STEM students, computer science and engineers. We can facilitate communication between each and work to satisfy those needs.”  

This wasn’t the master plan, it just kind of happened, said Stewart. “The genesis was HAFB but it’s already affected Utah’s economy and it will just continue to grow. You’ve heard of Silicon Slopes, well it will be like that but based on defense and national security.”

It not only helps with jobs it fosters education, he said. “It keeps America safe. This (appointment) allows me to work in areas that I feel strongly about.”