Staff Report
Published April 19, 2012

The S.C. Department of Commerce has picked Charlie Farrell, a former Marine Corps fighter pilot and business owner, to lead a new Aerospace Task Force.

Charlie Farrell, Director of the S.C. Aerospace Task Force

The task force advises the Secretary of Commerce on strategies to grow the state’s aerospace industry, the Commerce Department said in a news release. Farrell will oversee a committee to align efforts and priorities across the state in the aerospace industry. Part of his job will be to coordinate a statewide strategy by collaborating with key players in South Carolina’s economy.

“Boeing is our grand slam. Our challenge is to leverage that success with other great assets for South Carolina, including government, industry and education,” Farrell said.

Farrell flew more than 3,000 hours as a fighter pilot for the Marine Corps and Air National Guard before owning two commercial printing companies then moving into professional development training. The Commerce Department said Farrell has conducted more than 3,000 leadership and training programs for clients such as General Electric, 3M, Mayo Clinic, Federal Reserve Bank, Ocean Spray Cranberry and Michelin.

“With a rich history in aviation, South Carolina now has a vibrant and growing aerospace industry that includes everything from aircraft manufacturing to space technology and defense,” Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt said. “The task force will provide an even better framework to support this industry through statewide communication and collaboration.”

South Carolina has more than 180 aerospace manufacturing companies and suppliers, employing more than 20,000 people, the Commerce Department said, including Boeing, Champion Aerospace, Eaton, General Electric, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin and Michelin Aircraft Tire.