Colorado Governor Appoints Aerospace & Defense Industry Champion

Gov. John Hickenlooper

DENVER, Colo. (Governor Hickenlooper PR) — Gov. John Hickenlooper joined the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) on November 25, 2013 to announce that Maj. Gen. Jay H. Lindell will be Colorado’s Aerospace and Defense Industry Champion.

Lindell will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the state’s aerospace strategic plan and developing and implementing strategies surrounding the state’s military bases, including leading efforts surrounding all Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities.

“Maj. Gen. Lindell will be a great advocate and passionate voice for ensuring that the state’s various industry networks and groups within aerospace and defense are united,” Hickenlooper said. “We know his extensive experience will help align military assets in preparation of consolidation and workforce training, and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated person to lead our efforts.”

“I look forward to the challenging and exciting opportunity to build a more prosperous aerospace and defense industry base in our beautiful state of Colorado,” Lindell said. “I am very excited to be part of the state’s economic development team.”

This new position was created to lead statewide efforts to implement the state’s aerospace strategic plan set forth in the Brookings report “Launch! Taking Colorado’s Space Economy to the Next Level,” as well as BRAC initiatives.

Lindell will focus on promoting the interests of the aerospace and defense industry by assisting aerospace businesses, defense installations and research institutions to establish information networks with both government and the private sector. He will also help ensure a greater flow of information about aerospace and defense business enterprises and opportunities and oversee economic research and information with the ultimate goal of providing the best opportunities for sustainable growth of the aerospace and defense industry.

Lindell is a retired Air Force major general with more than 20 years of experience in aerospace operations, logistics management, international security cooperation and executive leadership education. Most recently, Lindell was President of JHLSolutions, where he specialized in U.S. and international defense aerospace business development.

Prior, Lindell served as Capability Director for the United States Air Force Global Power Programs at the Pentagon, where he directed policy and investment advice for the Secretary of the Air Force for fighter, bomber, weapons, nuclear and support programs. He also presented testimony to Congressional Defense Committees for support of Air Force Global Power Programs and developed program solutions with Congress and the defense industry to sustain Air Force acquisition programs.

Lindell had previously served as Deputy Commanding General for the Combined Security Transition Command in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he was responsible for building the Afghan Air Force. His previous posts include serving as Commandant at Air Command and Staff College; Director of Logistics for US Air Forces Europe at Ramstein Air Base; Chief of the International Division of U.S. European Command in Germany; Commander of the 27th Fighter Wing Operations Group at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico; Commander of the 35th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in Korea; and Director of Operations for the 353rd Combat Training Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.

Lindell earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s degree from Troy University. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal.

Lindell will begin his position on November 25, 2013.