Cope chosen for State Department defense trade advisory group

  • Published
  • By Kathy Gattis
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Steve Cope, vice president for Arnold Community Council (ACC) and director of business development and marketing for Avion Solutions, Inc. in Huntsville, was recently selected for membership in the U.S. State Department's Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG).

"This is not only an honor for Steve and a testament to his defense industry business background, but it provides a voice for us (ACC and AEDC)," said ACC President Temple Bowling.

"The Arnold Community Council wanted to nominate someone for membership on DTAG because we believed it would benefit AEDC by attracting business that is presently going overseas," he said.

DTAG is tasked with providing counsel to the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. The bureau oversees a variety of issues including defense trade, technology transfer and commercial arms sales. The goal is to protect national security without creating an unnecessary burden on those trying to do legitimate business, both within the U.S. and outside with friends and allies.

Members of DTAG are a representative cross-section of the U.S. defense industry, association, academic and foundation personnel, including technical and military experts.

"It is indeed an honor for me to be appointed by the Assistant Secretary of State to serve in this capacity," said Cope. "As I look over the titles and positions of others that serve in this capacity, I can't help but wonder how I was selected.

"This is an excellent opportunity to participate in and make recommendations to policy issues before they become law -- that's exciting. Serving for two years as the chairman of the ACC Legislative Affairs Committee prior to becoming the vice president, we sought ways to bring more testing and missions to Arnold Air Force Base.

"We (ACC) wanted to make a difference and that became one of our top priorities when we were in Washington the past three years," said Cope. "We are making progress; however, as a member of DTAG, I believe I will be in a position to be a stronger advocate for our cause.

"In addition, my employer - Avion Solutions, Inc., an Army Aviation Support small business contractor headquartered in Huntsville, Ala., has an interest in working with foreign military sales, and this will provide me with an avenue to see firsthand how larger companies (Boeing, BAE, EADS, Raytheon, etc.) work with the State Department to help expand U.S. job opportunities into foreign markets and grow our business."

Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for Political-Military Affairs, congratulated Cope by saying, "Your professional background, experiences and interests will enable you to be a strong contributor to the DTAG function."

Cope's term with DTAG is 2012-2014. He has been involved with the Arnold Community Council for many years as a board member and chair of the ACC Legislative Affairs team.

ACC was formed in 2000 to promote and support AEDC.