Letter from the SAE 2012 AMAF General Chair

William Saathoff

Dear Colleagues,
Technology advancement... Cost efficiency... Process improvement... Competitive marketplace... In today's economic climate, a new reality, these words have even more importance. Going forward with the development of new aircraft to meet our customers' needs, we must embrace these concepts and that is why I am proud Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has chosen to be the 2012 host company for the Aerospace Manufacturing and Automated Fastening Conference (AMAF) in Fort Worth Texas.

As the General Conference Chair, I would like to encourage you to begin thinking about ways you should participate. I believe that no other conference provides the level of expertise in manufacturing and fastening for aircraft technology and application. Add access to industry experts in materials, structures, automation or fastening alongside a one-of-a-kind exhibition and you have a world class aerospace event in a location known for being at the center of advancements in design, materials and manufacturing.

With approximately 25 sessions focusing on fasteners, tooling, automation, materials, structures and manufacturing there are many opportunities to submit your ideas for either a paper w/ presentation or a "presentation only". To complement the technical materials, the event offers exhibition and networking reception sponsorship opportunities as well.

Start making plans to participate or attend. This "best in class" conference and exhibition attracts over 500 attendees from around the world. So if you wish to showcase your technical expertise or company's product portfolio in a hub of aviation activity, be sure to Mark this event on your calendar and look for more details to come!

Sincerely,
William Saathoff, SAE 2012 AMAF General Chair Director, Production Engineering &Technology Lockheed Martin Aeronautics

Bill Saathoff is Director of Production Engineering and Technology for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. His current area of responsibility is the development of all Production Engineering people, processes, and tools to support current and future LM Aero programs. In this capacity he has oversight of all Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Tooling and Manufacturing Technology Personnel and Processes.

Mr. Saathoff has worked over 15 years at Lockheed Martin in Operations and Engineering roles developing manufacturing methods, systems, and advanced materials. He has worked extensively in key programs such as F35, F22, F16 as well as several years in hypersonics research as Manufacturing Lead for the X30 program. He additionally served as Program Manager for AFRL funded research programs in Manufacturing Simulations as well as IPT lead for early JSF efforts, leading the Airframe Affordability Demonstration, which established technologies and designs to meet JSF affordability goals.

After departing Lockheed Martin in 2000 and prior to his return in 2009, Mr. Saathoff spent 10 years in general aviation with Hawker Beechcraft (formally Raytheon Aircraft). During his time there, he served in several roles including Transition to Production Manager for the Premier Business Jet, Plant Director of Composites Manufacturing, Operations Program Manager of the Clean Sheet Hawker 450, and Program Manager of International Production establishing new facilities and suppliers in Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the UK.