Traveling backward may not seem like a way to grow your business, but for AVIAN LLC, traveling backward means winning new work on the West Coast; three hours behind its East Coast operations.
AVIAN is expanding its technical acumen and test and evaluation know-how to the West Coast; specifically, the sunny state of California.
In 2016, AVIAN expanded its T&E customer-base to include the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, California.
“We’ve offered unique T&E solutions to NAWCAD [Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division] for many years and are excited to spread our expertise to the Navy’s West Coast operations,” said Kevin Switick, an owner and president of AVIAN.
NAWCWD is an organization within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) dedicated to maintaining a center of excellence in weapons development. NAWCWD has two locations in southern California: China Lake and Point Mugu.
AVIAN’s China Lake employees currently support Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) and the H-1 Helicopters Weapons System Support Activity (WSSA) with a variety of technical and other services.
“AVIAN’s roots are in Test and Evaluation, and the AVIAN people who support VX-9 and the H-1 WSSA are carrying on that strong tradition at China Lake,” said John Slaughter, AVIAN’s vice president of business development.
In addition to employees working at China Lake, East Coast-based AVIAN employees often travel to, and work from, the West Coast during NAWCAD testing events for platforms such as the Navy’s MQ-8 Fire Scout; and for workforce development and training classroom instruction through NAVAIR University’s College of Test and Evaluation and College of Interdisciplinary Studies and Leadership.
Several AVIAN employees served on active duty at VX-9 and elsewhere at China Lake, so the area is considered an “old stomping grounds” for a number of its people.
“As we continue to grow in Southern California, we hope to become the go-to small business for creative solutions to business challenges,” Switick said. “We’re ready to roll-up our sleeves and make things happen.”
For additional information:
Tara Strickland
Director, Communications
tara.strickland@avianllc.com
