Carey Lohrenz, the First Female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot, to be Keynote Speaker 

at Manufacturers’ Association’s 118^th Annual Event

(York, PA) – Carey Lohrenz, the First Female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, and best-selling author will be the keynote speaker for the Manufacturers’ Association’s 118^th Annual Event.  Her keynote, “Fearless Leadership: Lessons from the Flight Deck” will be the highlight of the 118^th Annual Event held on Wednesday May 22^nd, at York College’s Waldner Performing Arts Center.  

As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, retired Lieutenant Carey Lohrenz is used to working in fast moving, dynamic environments where inconsistent execution can generate catastrophic results. The challenges Carey faced are also found in business - markets change, customer needs evolve and if you do not adapt quickly, your company is at risk.  In her motivating and engaging keynote presentations, Carey shares her fascinating experiences operating in one of the world’s most challenging environments – an aircraft carrier.  Mrs. Lohrenz’s knows what it takes to win in one of the highest pressure, extreme environments imaginable: in the cockpit at Mach 2.

“Carey’s ability to connect with an audience, coupled with her knowledge and experience in leading high-performing, diverse teams, has made her highly sought after as a business consultant and leadership speaker”, said Tom Palisin, Executive Director of the Association.  “Her experience in the all-male environment of fighter aviation and her ability to pass on the lessons learned in her career allow her to deliver insight and guidance from a credible platform on women’s leadership issues.” 

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, she attended the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School before starting flight training and her naval career. Lohrenz earned her Naval Aviator Wings of Gold in 1993 and became the first female Naval Aviator in the U.S. Navy to train and fully qualify as fighter pilots in the F-14 Tomcat.  Lohrenz began a career as a leadership expert and professional speaker in 1999 and during her private sector career also authored two bestsellers: “Fearless Leadership: High-Performance Lessons from the Flight Deck” and “Span of Control: What to do When You Are Under Pressure, Overwhelmed and Ready to Get What You Really Want.”

The Manufacturers’ Association’s Annual Event, hosted this year at York College’s Waldner Performing Arts Center on May 22^nd, will bring together nearly 700 business and community leaders across central Pennsylvania.  The Event will also recognize outstanding manufacturers, member companies and individuals for their accomplishments and community contributions during the previous year.  Businesses interested in submitting for awards should visit the Association website Annual Meeting page for applications and information.

For information regarding available corporate sponsorships for the 118^th Annual Event, visit mascpa.org/anuualevent, call the Association at 717-843-3891 or email at office@mascpa.org. Seating is limited. Individual keynote tickets that include the General Reception for the event will be $100 per guest, with a discounted rate of $85 for U.S. service veterans and active military.