The Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI) has announced selection of Dr Tulinda Larsen as new executive director. UAMMI is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to bring together public, private, community, industry and education partners to assure growth and sustainability of Utah’s advanced materials and manufacturing industry. 

 

“Tulinda is an excellent choice to lead UAMMI to the next stage,” outgoing executive director, Jeff Edwards, said in a press release.  “She brings extensive experience in managing industry organisations, including non-profits, and a deep understanding of the aerospace industry.”

 

Edwards served as UAMMI’s first executive director from January 2017 until the present. The position for a new director was opened up last December when he announced that he will be stepping down as director to serve a mission with his wife Karamea in the public affairs department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in New Zealand and the South Pacific Region.  

 

“The board is very pleased and excited with the selection of Dr Larsen,” Scott Lindsay, UAMMI board chairman and president of TCR Composites in Ogden, Utah, said. “Jeff’s experience in organisational management, economic development and building industry relationships will be greatly missed. He did an outstanding job taking UAMMI from an initial idea to a well-respected and effective organisation for our industry and we are excited to begin a new chapter with Dr Tulinda Larsen who brings her great background and relationships to our team,” Lindsay added.

 

Dr Larsen brings extensive experience of managing aerospace industry organisations, especially in the emerging Urban Air Mobility industry. Among many positions she has held in the industry, her most recent was the executive director of Deseret Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) where she helped secure state funding for the Utah’s growing urban air mobility industry. Other experience she brings to UAMMI includes: 40+ years in commercial aviation, experience with outdoor recreation industries and an understanding of emerging trends and economic drivers in recreational sports, and government and industry data commercialisation. In addition, she is an adjunct assistant professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a Doctorate of Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus as well as a BA and MA in Economics from George Washington University.

 

“As the new executive director I am honoured to take on the challenges and opportunities facing UAMMI and to carry on the momentum started by Edwards,” Larsen said. “As the advanced materials industry prepares for expected growth, the goal of UAMMI is to capture these market growth opportunities for Utah.”