ATLANTA — Georgia's leading aerospace companies Monday announced the formation of a new statewide organization dedicated to advancing the state's aerospace and defense industries.

The Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA) — being launched by Gulfstream Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety International, and Pratt & Whitney — will be housed at Mercer University in Macon, with Ember Bishop Bentley as executive director and Jay Neely as its initial board chairman.

Bentley most recently served as chief of staff and vice president for external affairs at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, home to Georgia's flagship School of Aviation. Neely serves as board chairman for the state Department of Economic Development.

Aerospace is Georgia's second largest industry,

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