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The recently formed Monterey Bay Tech Hub, a coalition of regional stakeholders who recognize the need for collective action to strengthen the opportunity for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)-based economic growth and job creation in the Tri-County region, has announced the formation of its Leadership Council.
The Monterey Bay Tech Hub recognizes the tri-county region of San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties as an emerging tech hub for advanced air mobility. Home to one of the highest concentrations of AAM activity in the world, the tri-county region of San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties has three leading passenger eVTOL companies prototyping, testing and/or manufacturing within the region. In addition, global leaders in hydrogen-fueled passenger aircraft and hybrid-fueled “heavy payload” drone manufacturing are based here, along with large-scale vertical users of AAM technologies in the domains of marine science, defense, hospitality/tourism, agriculture and infrastructure inspection. AAM and AAM-adjacent technologies have significant implications for the strong agricultural and tourism assets in each county in our region, impacting how cargo, goods and people move.
The Leadership Council will focus on driving strategic collaboration to support workforce training and regional infrastructure needs of the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and hydrogen-fueled aircraft industries.
Regional leaders representing industry, government, community and educational sectors of the tri-county region will serve on the Monterey Bay Tech Hub Leadership Council:
- California Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Ex Officio member
- Danny Bernstein, Managing General Partner, HawkTower
- Cody Cleverly, Workforce Development Lead, Joby Aviation
- Angela Curro, San Benito County Supervisor (District 4)
- Doug Erickson, Executive Director, Santa Cruz Works
- Zach Friend, Santa Cruz County Supervisor (District 2)
- Marshall T. Fulbright III Superintendent/President, Monterey Peninsula College
- Tahra Goraya, President & CEO, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership
- Michael Gutierrez, Superintendent/President, Hartnell College
- Tom Horvath, Interim Dean of the College of Science, CSUMB
- Cesar Lara, Executive Director, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Layne Long, City Manager, City of Marina
- Chris Lopez, Monterey County Supervisor (District 3)
- Jacob Martinez, Founder & CEO, Digital NEST
- Rene Mendez, City Manager, City of Watsonville
- Josh Metz, Executive Director, Monterey Bay DART
- David Mirrione, City Manager, City of Hollister
- Larry Samuels, Special Advisor to the Chancellor, UC Santa Cruz
- Sarasina Tuchen, Senior Scientist and National Technical Expert
- Tosha Perkins, Chief People & Partnerships Officer, Archer Aviation
- Matt Wetstein, President, Cabrillo College
Monterey Bay Tech Hub Launches with New Website
The recently formed Monterey Bay Tech Hub unveiled its new website May 1 as part of collective efforts to create opportunity for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)-based economic growth and job creation in the tri-county region.
The new Monterey Bay Tech Hub website (https://www.mbtechhub.org/ ) builds upon regional momentum supporting workforce training and regional infrastructure needs of the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and hydrogen-fueled aircraft industry.
The Monterey Bay Tech Hub recognizes the tri-county region of San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties as a tech hub for advanced air mobility. Its priority areas of focus are Workforce Training, AAM Infrastructure, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Collective Political Engagement.
Home to one of the highest concentrations of AAM activity in the world, the tri-county region of San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties has three leading passenger eVTOL companies prototyping, testing and/or manufacturing within the region. In addition, global leaders in hydrogen-fueled passenger aircraft and hybrid-fueled “heavy payload’ drone manufacturing are based here, along with large-scale vertical users of AAM technologies in the domains of marine science, defense, agriculture and infrastructure inspection.
Within this largely agricultural region are multiple defense installations, public and private colleges and universities, marine science research institutions and several smaller metropolitan statistical areas.
The Monterey County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) identified AAM as a strategic opportunity, as did the region’s Investment Plan for the Regions Rise Together (RRT) Initiative, a visioning document used in several federal and state grant applications.
Jointly supporting this unified regional consortium are leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) companies Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, higher education, military and municipal leadership, regional government, municipal airports and community organizations.
Founding members of Monterey Bay Tech Hub are Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, UC Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay DART, all of whom serve on its executive committee.
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) President & CEO Tahra Goraya: “Advanced air mobility and adjacent industries hold opportunities that can uplift our regional economy, and we’re committed to addressing the workforce and infrastructure demands that will ensure that those industries can thrive here in the Monterey Bay region.”
“I’m honored to participate with the Monterey Bay Tech Hub as an ex officio member,” said Assembly member Dawn Addis. “The Tech Hub compliments important existing economic initiatives across the Central Coast, prioritizing clean tech innovation, workforce development and prosperity for local community members.“
About Monterey Bay Tech Hub: The Monterey Bay Tech Hub is a coalition of regional stakeholders who recognize the need for collective action to strengthen the opportunity for AAM-based economic growth and job creation in the Tri-County region. Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, UC Santa Cruz, and Monterey Bay DART are founding members.