Quality Month Celebrates ``Flight into the Future'' in Aviation, Space and Defense.

News Editors/Business Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2003

Over 200 people are slated to attend the October Quality Month Event, "Flight into the Future," next week, October 21, 2003 at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California, organized by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), Section 706. Event Director, Deborah Koncel, comments, "We are thrilled that the event is attracting unprecedented participation from the Aviation, Space and Defense (A/S/D) industries, as well as the greater professional community of quality management. This is truly remarkable for the committee and volunteer staff, testament to the distinguished keynote speakers and honorary panelists who have joined together to make the event a one-of-a-kind tribute celebrating 100 years of powered flight."

The distinguished opening speaker to discuss "The Future of Aviation, Space & Defense is What We Make it Today" will be Ms. Wally Funk, Former FAA Inspector, Mercury 13 Astronaut Candidate and Pilot. The honorary keynote speaker will be Colonel Gordon Cooper, NASA Astronaut, one of the original Mercury Seven pioneers and author of the book, "Leap of Faith." Panelists speaking on various topics affecting the field of Aviation, Space and Defense comprise today's industry experts and organization leaders:

-- Michael Dornheim, Panel Moderator, Los Angeles Bureau

Chief, Aviation Week

-- Randa Milliron, President, Interorbital Systems

-- Steve James, Technical Fellow, The Boeing Company Canoga

Park, Advanced Non-Destructive Test Methods

-- Spencer Hutchens, Jr., Past President, American Society

for Quality (ASQ)/Past Chair ASQ A/S/D Division

-- Harrel "Buck" Crenshaw, Procurement Quality Manager, JPL,

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Topics for panel discussion include:

-- Doing Business with the Government

-- Commercial Aviation/Aerospace & X Prize Competition

-- Advanced NDT Methods/Composites

-- Government Perspectives on the Future of Aviation, Space

and Defense

-- Quality

-- Nuclear Space Exploration

The committee is grateful for the support from Platinum Sponsors, Valley Seal, Woodland Hills and the Aviation/Space and Defense Division of the American Society for Quality. Corporate Sponsors for the October Quality Month Event are The Boeing Company, (Rocketdyne, Canoga Park and C-17, Long Beach); Northrop Grumman-Navigation Systems Division; Sierracin/Sylmar Corporation; D. Aircraft Products, Inc.; IPL Group; California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC). Exhibitors are DNV (Det Norske Veritas); Pro Registrars; IPL Group; GXP Consultants; and DeSimone Engineering.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

This event is now open for registration. ASQ Section 706 proudly invites ASQ members and the general public to join the October Quality Month Event, "Flight into the Future" on Tuesday, October 21, 2003 at 4:00 PM. For registration information, visit the ASQ 706 website at www.asq706.com or call Rosemarie Christopher at 818-552-2036; fax [phone]; email: [e-mail].

About American Society for Quality

A world of improvement is available through the American Society for Quality, providing information, contacts, and opportunities to make things better in the workplace, in communities, and in people's lives. The American Society for Quality is an 117,000-member professional association with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The 56-year-old organization advances individual, organizational, and community excellence worldwide through quality improvement, learning, and knowledge exchange. ASQ has been the administrator of the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce, since the award's inception more than a decade ago. For more information, please visit www.asq706.com.