Jacksonville Senior Leaders Visit Vaero’s Advanced Helicopter Assembly Facility

SENATOR CLAY YARBOROUGH, FCMA PRESIDENT LAKE RAY, JAX CHAMBER PRESIDENT & CEO DANIEL DAVIS AND KELLY DOBSON, PRESIDENT OF THE JACKSONVILLE ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHERS VISIT VAERO’S ADVANCED HELICOPTER ASSEMBLY FACILITY IN JACKSONVILLE, FL

Jacksonville, FL — Senator Clay Yarborough, First Coast Manufacturers Association (“FCMA”) President Lake Ray, JAX Chamber President & CEO Daniel Davis, and Kelly Dobson, President of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters visited the headquarters of VAERO this week, touring the company’s high-tech facility where advanced cockpit assemblies for Sikorsky Black Hawk and Bell Viper helicopters are built.

The visit underscored VAERO’s vital role in the U.S. aerospace supply chain and its growing impact on Jacksonville’s economy. The company’s focus on precision aerospace manufacturing has made it a key contributor to national defense programs and a major source of skilled employment in Northeast Florida.

“It’s inspiring to see Jacksonville at the heart of such critical aerospace work,” said Senator Clay Yarborough. “VAERO is not only contributing to national defense with cutting-edge work on Black Hawk and Viper helicopters — the company is creating meaningful, high-skilled jobs for local families. This is the kind of growth and opportunity we want to see more of across Florida.”

Lake Ray, President of the First Coast Manufacturers Association, added, “VAERO exemplifies the kind of advanced manufacturing we’re working to grow across Northeast Florida. They’re building sophisticated aerospace components while investing in a skilled, sustainable workforce. This kind of company is what we need leading the way for the next generation of manufacturers in our region.”

Daniel Davis, President and CEO of the JAX Chamber, added, “This kind of advanced manufacturing is exactly what we want to see more of in our region. VAERO’s presence confirms that Jacksonville is a serious player in the future of aerospace and defense. These jobs strengthen our work force — technical, high-wage positions that keep talent in our region and attract new investment. We’re proud to have VAERO as a growing part of our business community”

“From a public safety standpoint, it’s exciting to see this level of aviation capability right here in our city,” said Fire Chief Kelly Dobson. “These helicopters often support emergency and rescue operations. Knowing that parts of them are built right here by local professionals makes me proud.”

VAERO’s highly skilled team specializes in cockpit structures and complex avionics integration, critical components that go into two of the most iconic helicopters in use today — the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, used globally for military and humanitarian missions, and the Bell AH-1Z Viper, a frontline attack helicopter used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Our work on the Black Hawk and Viper platforms requires world-class precision and dedication,” said Rikiese King, VAERO General Manager. “Jacksonville is more than just our home base — it’s a community we’re deeply invested in. We’re thrilled to be creating high-skill jobs and building a strong team right here. It’s a point of pride for us that our Jacksonville team is contributing directly to several mission-critical aircraft.”

VAERO CEO Bob Bell remarked, “The visit from Senator Yarborough, Mr. Ray, Mr. Davis, and Chief Dobson reinforces how aligned our mission is with the priorities of this city and this state. We’re proud to deliver technology that supports both national defense and local job growth. Our commitment is to Jacksonville — to building a strong, stable workforce and being a long-term partner in this city’s economic future.”

As VAERO continues to expand its footprint in Jacksonville, the company remains committed to investing in its workforce, growing partnerships across the region, and supporting U.S. aerospace leadership.

For more information, visit www.vaero.us.

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For PR information, contact:

Tamera Baker

+1 (904) 485-1400

info@vaero.us