Corporate Advisory Council

The Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a collection of corporate friends of AISES trying to engage our organizations in helping AISES meet its mission as described below.

Membership on the Council is open to all corporations with a desire to be a partner with AISES. No formal membership criteria exist and no annual membership dues are required. Each member organization decides how and to what extent it can support AISES.

The Council typically meets twice per year, both times in conjunction with AISES events to allow members to meet, to participate in the event and to interact with students. The first meeting is held in the spring, usually with the Science Fair or the Leadership Conference. The second meeting is held in the fall at the annual AISES National Conference.

AISES Announces New Chair of the Corporate Advisory Council

It is my pleasure to formally announce the new leadership for the AISES Corporate Advisory Council.   Of course the first order of business is to thank John Lothrop and Andy Ambrose for their dedication and outstanding support having served as Co-Chair’s for the CAC for well over 20 years.  Under their leadership our corporate partners have helped to fulfill the AISES mission.  The CAC introduced and implemented the successful AISES Professional of the Year program, and the annual Exhibitors Orientation and Career Fair debriefing sessions at the  AISES National Conference.  The CAC reads scholarship applications, judges at the National American Indian Science & Engineering Fair and provides valuable advice on career and industry trends to enhance AISES services and programs.  Often the CAC membership serves as presenters and speakers at AISES national events, lending their professional experience and skills to train AISES national student membership.

We are fortunate that Laurence Brown, a Manager in Sandia National Laboratories’ Government Relations Office and a Materials Engineer, has accepted the appointment to serve as the AISES Corporate Advisory Council Chair.  Laurence is Navajo and has a long history serving AISES and its mission, as one of the founding members of the New Mexico AISES Professional Chapter and a former member of the AISES Board of Directors.    In 2008 and moving forward,  Laurence will lead the AISES Corporate Advisory Council as they continue to play a key role in promoting AISES’ new “Circle of Support” program.  

As the United States aggressively works to maintain and grow in global competitiveness, professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines will be critical.  AISES believes that Indian communities can be a significant source for that much needed talent pool; and, we work in partnership with our Community,  Government,  University and Corporate partners to ensure that access and opportunity is extended to increase the representation of  American Indian and Alaska Native students in STEM related disciplines.  

To learn more about the role of the AISES Corporate Advisory Council contact Laurence Brown,  lebrown@sandia.gov or (505) 284-4012.

Laurence Brown, Sandia National Lab
lebrown@sandia.gov

AISES Corporate Advisory Council Mission Statement

The Corporate Advisory Council of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a professional association of corporate representatives who are actively striving to help AISES meet its mission of increasing the number of American Indians in science, engineering, technology and related fields.

AISES Corporate Advisory Council Roles and Responsibilities

To provide advice and counsel for the AISES Executive Director regarding programs, activities and general management of AISES.

To support the AISES Board of Directors in long-range planning functions such as:

• Establishment of AISES goals, objectives and realistic schedules for them.
• Development of AISES organization/management structure necessary to achieve goals and objectives.
• Development of long-range strategy to achieve goals and objectives.
• Reviewing AISES status as requested by the Board to assist in appropriate upgrading and improvement of objectives, structure and strategy.

To actively demonstrate support for students and AISES, including:

• Providing scholarships, internship programs and employment opportunities.
• Participating in the National Conference via sponsorships, the Career Fair, presentations, etc.
• Supporting student chapter activities in our local areas.
• Participating in other AISES activities, e.g., Leadership Conference, Science Fair, regional conferences, etc.

To provide a communication link between AISES and the corporate community to:

• Provide guidance concerning corporate viewpoints related to engineering and science studies, e.g., current/projected employment trends, critical skills, etc.
• Develop support for AISES consistent with individual company capabilities, including financial contributions, in-kind gifts and human resources as appropriate.
• Channel concerns of AISES to the corporate community and vice versa.
• Provide liaison between AISES and non-Corporate Advisory Council companies with a view toward developing additional support of AISES and its programs.
• Assist the AISES Executive Director in fund-raising efforts through networking and participation in fund-raising visits as requested by AISES.
• Facilitate effective public relations for AISES activities via coverage in company publications, trade journals, etc.

To assist AISES in recruiting and developing additional Corporate Advisory Council members.