Jim Downey, Co-Founder of The EnCore Group, Named Winner of Third Annual Gilbert W. Speed Award, Presented by the Aviation Week Network

LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jim Downey, Co-Founder of The EnCore Group, has received the Third Annual Gilbert W. Speed Award honoring outstanding leadership and collaboration across the global aerospace and defense supply chain. The award was presented today by the Aviation Week Network at its 31^st Annual SpeedNews Commercial Aviation Industry Suppliers Conference in Beverly Hills, CA. 

Downey is an aviation industry veteran who founded C&D Aerospace in 1972, growing the organization organically to a multinational, 4,000-employee, $400 million enterprise before selling the business in 2005. Over that time, the company designed and manufactured interior products for nearly every commercial aircraft – from seats to galleys, lavatories, sidewalls, ceilings and more. With the love of aerospace still burning strong, Downey was eager to return to the business. In 2011, he once again joined forces with Tom McFarland, and launched the EnCore Group to "start again." Through two strategic acquisitions, and the award of significant new business, The EnCore Group has grown at an aggressive pace with over 800 employees in Southern California and Mexico. Today, Downey remains at the helm of EnCore, promoting controlled growth, and striving to be not the largest interiors supplier in the industry, but the best.

"Jim is a model of integrity and success, and he exemplifies the leadership that Gil Speed exhibited throughout his lifetime. With this award, the Aviation Week Network is proud to recognize Jim's achievements and honor Gil's legacy," said Warren N. Bimblick, President & Managing Director, Transportation Intelligence, Penton. 

"I am honored to be selected for this award. Gil Speed and I shared a common entrepreneurial spirit. Our companies grew up together, and we were able to share the challenges and successes along the way. In the end, I think we are all trying to leave a positive legacy with our life's work, and Gil has certainly done that with SpeedNews. I am humbled to receive an award in his name, truly humbled," said Downey.

The Gilbert W. Speed Award honors the legacy of the man who founded SpeedNews, the aviation industry's newsletter of record, in 1979 and established its annual suppliers Conference in 1987. Speed, who passed away in January 2014 at age 81, was a well-respected industry partner and touched many lives during his 60+-year tenure in the aviation industry. The award's inaugural winner, honored in 2015, was David P. Storch, Chairman & CEO of AAR. In 2016, Scott Smith, President of AMI Metals received the award.

For more information about the Gil Speed Award, visit http://speednews.com/commercial-aviation-industry-suppliers-conference.

ABOUT SPEEDNEWS CONFERENCES
SpeedNews Conferences, the leader in global executive events, provides targeted information and professional networking opportunities for senior level aerospace industry leaders, decision makers, financial institutions, economic development organizations, and industry analysts. These Conferences deliver an array of information and data for commercial, defense, business and general aviation, aerospace manufacturing, raw materials, and M&A developments.

SpeedNews Conferences offer an unmatched depth of market data and innovative ways to present organizations' materials. Meet with distinguished experts in the aerospace industry, learn about current trends, new products and developments, hear forecasts, and network with customers and peers. From aircraft and engine manufacturing to current financial reports and data, you will walk away with timely, crucial knowledge from these experts to help guide your business plans.

ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK
The Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries that has a database of 1.2 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week for analysis, marketing and intelligence. Customers include the world's leading manufacturers, suppliers, airlines, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this global market. The product portfolio includes Aviation Week & Space Technology, AC-U-KWIK, Aircraft Blue Book, Airportdata.com, Air Charter Guide, Air Transport World, AviationWeek.com, Aviation Week Intelligence Network, Business & Commercial Aviation, ShowNews, SpeedNews, Fleet and MRO forecasts, global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) tradeshows and aerospace & defense conferences.

ABOUT INFORMA
SpeedNews and the Aviation Week Network are part of Informa, the international business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events group. Informa serves commercial, professional and academic communities, helping them connect and learn, and creating and providing access to content and intelligence that helps people and businesses work smarter and make better decisions faster.

Informa has over 7,500 colleagues in more than 20 countries and a presence in all major geographies. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

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SOURCE Aviation Week Network