2025 I-90 Aerospace Corridor Conference Speakers

Located in Spokane, WA, Amanda is a Research and Development (R&D) Tax Senior Manager at Moss Adams. She specializes in federal and state R&D tax credits, particularly within the manufacturing and aerospace industries. With over a decade of experience, she offers a comprehensive skill set encompassing client service, industry specialization, and tax research, all essential for effectively conducting R&D tax credit studies. Her primary objective is to assist manufacturers engaged in qualified research activities to fully leverage the R&D credit, a crucial element of any effective tax reduction strategy. She provides exceptional support and guidance, helping clients to effectively navigate and optimize their tax positions.

Darren Brewer is a seasoned economic developer with a proven track record of driving investment, innovation, and community growth across British Columbia. As a passionate advocate for regional development, Darren plays a pivotal role in promoting Cranbrook as the commercial and transportation hub of the Kootenays, attracting new business opportunities and fostering strong partnerships across the Pacific Northwest.

With a deep understanding of supply chain dynamics, infrastructure strategy, and foreign direct investment, Darren brings a strategic lens to every project he undertakes—whether leading cross-border trade initiatives, championing funding equity for rural regions, or advancing sustainable urban planning.

Darren is a sought-after voice in economic development circles, known for his collaborative leadership style, data-driven insights, and commitment to building resilient, future-ready communities. He is especially focused on connecting industry with opportunity and ensuring that underrepresented regions are part of the broader conversation on growth and innovation.

Diahann Howard was named Port of Benton’s executive director in December 2019. Howard previously served as the Port of Benton’s director of economic development and governmental affairs. Before joining the Port in 2006, she was the economic development manager for the City of Richland.

Howard earned a Professional Port Manager (PPM®) certification in 2019 and was named a Port Professional Executive (PPX®) by the American Association of Ports in 2023.

During her 19 years at Port of Benton, Howard’s efforts have resulted in over $30.9 million in grant and legislative funding. Additionally, under her leadership, the Port administers the VERTical Innovation Cluster. VERTical is working with industry to solve supply chain, workforce and other challenges to accelerate the deployment of next-generation nuclear energy.

Howard currently serves on the Washington State Community Aviation Revitalization Board, Eastern Washington University President Advisory Board, American Association of Port Authorities Foundation, Chair of Washington Public Ports Legislative committee and others. In 2018, she was appointed to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Environmental Management Advisory Board to provide expert advice on intergovernmental and stakeholder engagement, contracting, management, large project planning and risk assessment. Previously, she served as the Richland Rotary president from 2017 to 2018 and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2012.

Howard is a native of Tri-Cities, Washington, and holds a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs from Eastern Washington University. She is the first female to hold the Port of Benton executive director position and the first executive director with Latina heritage among the 75 port districts within Washington state.

Dr. Shovic joined Computer Science Faculty in Robotics/AI at the University of Idaho in Coeur d’Alene in 2017. In 2022, he was appointed director of the University of Idaho research organization, the Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics (CIIR). His technical expertise is focused on the following fields: Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics and applications of advanced AI techniques to Robotics, Embedded Systems, CyberSecurity and Real Time Operating Systems. Dr. Shovic has a strong business background having run several high technology companies (including in CyberSecurity) and startups prior to returning to the University arena. Dr. Shovic is working on a number of projects involving applying AI techniques in manufacturing data analysis and zero-trust high security manufacturing data networks. He has authored a number of papers and articles as well as several books including “Python All-In-One for Dummies”, published by Wiley, including sections on using Python for AI, Big Data, Machine Vision and Robotics.

Gina Robison serves as the Executive Director of the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA), the only member organization in Idaho dedicated to representing the manufacturing industry. As the voice of Idaho’s manufacturing sector, IMA unites over 200 members and advocates for all 2,200 manufacturers across the state. Together, they represent a $21.5 billion industry that drives Idaho’s economy forward.

She has a proven track record of success with five years as the Program Supervisor of Apprenticeship Idaho which, according to a national case study of Idaho, saw a 463% increase in apprenticeship development. Gina also has 14 years of non-profit leadership. Most notably, she was the first Nevadan appointed to the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC), a nonpartisan federal advisory board providing key counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Gina has a passion for supporting business and a commitment to Idaho's manufacturing community.

Hope Morrow manages Idaho National Laboratory’s Workforce and Economic Development Programs, leading regional and community workforce initiatives, innovative economic development efforts, and community college engagement for the lab. Hope comes to INL with vast experience, following her tenure as a labor economist with the Department of Labor in both Idaho and Utah. Hope is a Governor appointed member to Idaho's Workforce Development Council and serves as the council's Policy Committee Chair. Hope is a co-founder and serves as a co-chair on Idaho's Advanced Energy Consortium, a 501(c)(6) that leads industry, education partners, and public leadership to make data-driven decisions, regarding supply chain, policy, workforce and economic development needs in the advanced energy industry. The IAEC is the administrative entity responsible for the Intermountain-west Nuclear Energy Corridor Tech Hub, America’s only Nuclear Tech Hub, Hope also serves as one of the core POC’s for this program.

Jason Yager is a seasoned leader with a diverse background in industry, academia, and nonprofits. He holds a master’s degree in physics from Montana State University. Currently, he serves as the executive director of the Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance, an economic development industry association focused on developing Montana's advanced manufacturing and computing ecosystem. With 30 years of experience in Montana's high-tech community, Jason is committed to giving back. He also serves on several boards, including the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board, where he provides guidance to the Governor on statewide workforce development strategies and holds the position of Vice Chair for the Montana Headwaters Tech Hub Board of Directors.

Luke Fuess is a manufacturing and operations leader who joined TechHelp in 2023 to support Northern Idaho manufacturers in improving productivity, streamlining processes, and growing profitability. He also manages Idaho’s Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN) and leads TechHelp’s business intelligence mapping efforts to help visualize and act on key manufacturing data.

A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Luke began his career as a helicopter technician, serving five years with two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and went on to hold leadership roles at ICON Aircraft, US Ordnance, and other advanced manufacturing firms, building deep expertise in Lean, supply chain, and team development.

Now based in Coeur d’Alene, Luke enjoys outdoor adventures with his family and restoring classic cars. His hands-on experience and strategic insight make him a valuable resource for manufacturers navigating today’s challenges.

Nick is a marketing manager at Lakeside Companies and works closely with various business leaders across Lakeside’s portfolio to improve marketing strategy and support sales teams and revenue goals.

Before joining Lakeside, Nick worked at Filson in Seattle, Washington, managing email marketing and merchandising on the eCommerce team. After his time at Filson, Nick moved to Dallas, Texas, and worked for Lucchese Bootmaker, aiding in eCommerce, marketing, and branding for one of America’s oldest cowboy boot manufacturers.

Nick Graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Entrepreneurial Leadership, and a Minor in Vocal Performance.

Nick Wilkes is passionate about understanding manufacturers' challenges and being a resource that the Washington manufacturing ecosystem can rely upon.

Nick has experience diagnosing and delivering solutions to manufacturers across their enterprise: Continuous Improvement, Operations, Quality Management Systems, Organizational Strategy, Team Building, Cybersecurity, ERP, and Market Intelligence. Nick understands how time-critical business decisions can be and operates with the same urgency and drive as his clients. He comes to Impact Washington with broad experience in manufacturing methods such as investment casting, forging, composite fabrication, assembly, machining, and welding.

Nick has several years of experience working within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). As Regional Director of Impact Utah, he developed an organizational transformation model for Utah manufacturers. He grew the strategic partnership program across Utah's manufacturing community to maximize the Center's value to manufacturers.

Before joining Impact Utah, Wilkes held operational leadership positions at seven facilities within the Precision Castparts Corporation. Most recently, Nick directed a cross-functional Program Management team of 8 individuals responsible for executing $100 million of annual deliveries for aerospace and military manufacturing contracts. When not working, his therapy comes from the outdoors. In the summer, you can find him mountain biking and skiing in the backcountry in winter. Recently, trail-building has become a labor of love.

Paul Hamacher is a seasoned business leader and continuous improvement expert with over 30 years of experience in roles ranging from Supervisor to President and Board Director. As President and CEO of Hamacher and Associates, LLC, Paul brings deep expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and Toyota Kata to clients across a wide range of industries. His background includes global leadership roles at Rockwell International, Boeing, and Honeywell, where he directed Lean Six Sigma programs spanning more than 140 projects worldwide. Paul’s strategic insight, honed through executive roles and board service, complements his practical experience as a coach, consultant, and adjunct professor at Gonzaga University. His unique blend of operational excellence and leadership development makes him a valued instructor and Kata coach.

Robert Novotny is executive director, Fighters Business Development within the Air Dominance Division of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. He leads Boeing’s customer outreach team for its global F-15, F/A-18 and EA-18G portfolios.

Prior to joining Boeing, Novotny completed a 28-year career in the United States Air Force as a brigadier general and command pilot, amassing more than 3,000 flight hours and 500 combat hours as an F-15C/E instructor fighter pilot. In addition, he flew a variety of other aircraft as a career operational test pilot and has experience piloting helicopters, bombers, airlift and remotely piloted aircraft. Novotny commanded the legendary 48th Fighter Wing, also known as "The Liberty Wing," where he oversaw three counter-ISIS strikes into Africa and successfully recertified the wing for critical NATO wartime operations.

Novotny also served as the chief of staff to the Air Component Coordination Element and deputy chief of staff for Air Operations in Afghanistan leading a Presidentially directed force posture change while supporting ongoing counter-terror operations. He later served as the deputy director of Planning, Programming, Requirements and Analysis for Air Combat Command, leading more than half of the U.S. Air Force’s combat air force portfolio, responsible for planning and programming $60 billion annually for a force of more than 146,000 personnel and 2,800 aircraft, supporting 10 unified commands. In his final assignment, Novotny led the Air Force’s premier advanced testing and training organization, the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. During his command, he oversaw the complete overhaul of Exercise RED FLAG, grew the U.S. Air Force Weapons School by two additional divisions and rebuilt the Thunderbirds demonstration team culminating in the America Strong flybys during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Novotny is a distinguished graduate of Undergraduate Pilot Training, the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and two other service programs. An experienced F-15C combat aviator, Novotny earned numerous decorations including four Legions of Merit, the Air Force Combat Action medal, seven Air Medals and the Bronze Star. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force’s School of Advanced Air & Space Studies, the U.S. Naval Command & Staff College and the National War College. He has four master’s degrees spanning public administration, military art and science, national security and strategic studies.

Sam is a labor economist with the Idaho Department of Labor. In addition to providing economic insight, data, and analysis for the people of Idaho, he manages several forecasting projections for the State, producing projections of Idaho’s labor market, workforce trends, and demographics. Before joining the Department of Labor, he earned degrees in economics and mathematics from Eastern Washington University. He currently fills a timely and interesting niche: outside of his formal work as an economist, his main hobby is studying Russian and Soviet history.

Tan is a tax partner at Moss Adams and leads the Pacific Northwest Aerospace and Defense group. He provides tax consulting and compliance services to middle market companies that are internationally owned, closely held, private-equity managed, and public companies. His experience includes various consulting projects that involve multistate taxation, corporate restructuring, tax issues inherent in mergers and acquisitions, and works closely with businesses, shareholders, and executives on strategic tax planning.

Travis Moore is the President of Jemco Components & Fabrication, Inc. in Kirkland, Washington. He has an undergraduate degree in Industrial Psychology from Pepperdine University, a Master's degree in Organizational Development from Saint Louis University, and is currently studying Aerospace Engineering through MIT's OPEN program. Under Travis's leadership, Jemco has grown from $5 million to over $35 million is just over 9 years.

Jemco's specialty is quick-turn, tight-tolerance machining, sheet metal fabrication, and assembly for the space and defense markets.

Leveraging their 40-year track record of success in aerospace manufacturing, Jemco is currently expanding and upgrading their facility from 40,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet.

When not chasing down parts, Travis is trying to keep up with his wife of 20 years, and their four kids ranging in age from 11-17.

Vanessa is a Managing Director at Moss Adams and has practiced public accounting since 2010, specifically with federal and state tax credits and incentives. With the introduction of the Inflation Reduction Act, she now leads the prevailing wage and apprenticeship tax services team. Vanessa has significant experience helping companies identify, document, support, and defend claims related to federal and state tax credits, helping qualified small businesses with credits to offset employer payroll taxes, as well as other federal credits and incentives from the CARES Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Vanessa provides services to clients in a wide range of industries, including energy, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, technology, and software development. She joined Moss Adams after several years at a Big Four accounting firm.