The Aerospace Corporation Named One of AARP'S Best Employers for Workers Over 50
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (October 1, 2007) -- For the fifth time, The Aerospace Corporation has been selected as one of AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50.
The Aerospace Corporation, a nonprofit firm with headquarters in El Segundo, California, is the only aerospace company recognized by AARP in its annual listing of top employers for workers over 50. Aerospace earned this distinction in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006, as well as this year.
"The Aerospace Corporation, along with other selected employers, has demonstrated exemplary practices with regard to recruitment, retention and promotions of older workers," AARP Chief Executive Officer William D. Novelli stated in a letter notifying the company of its selection. "Moreover, you have created and fostered a workplace that is supportive of the aging workforce and encouraged workers to remain actively employed.
"We proudly add The Aerospace Corporation to this year's list of honorees," Novelli stated.
Dr. William F. Ballhaus, Jr., president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, said the selection by AARP is an affirmation of the company's policies toward older workers.
"Our experienced workers, many of whom are top engineers and scientists, are an indispensable resource. We rely on them for guidance, direction, and continuity of effort on the critical national space systems we support," he said.
Nearly one-half of The Aerospace Corporation's 3,800 regular, full-time workers are over 50. Among the benefits older employees enjoy are a phased retirement program, alternative work arrangements -- such as flextime and telecommuting -- and special arrangements for those who want to continue working after they retire.
Ballhaus said that the company helps balance its workforce by including among its new hires a significant number of recent college graduates and workers with less extensive experience.
"We feel that we can help ensure the continuity of our efforts by balancing our staff. This means retaining experienced employees to preserve expertise gained over decades and, at the same time, hiring and bringing along younger and less-experienced scientists and engineers with a view toward developing our next-generation workforce," Ballhaus said.
The Aerospace Corporation, along with the other honorees, was formally recognized by AARP at a dinner in New York, NY, on September 26. AARP The Magazine will feature the companies in its November-December issue.
In addition to its headquarters location, The Aerospace Corporation maintains offices in CALIFORNIA at Onizuka Air Force Station, Pasadena, San Diego, and Vandenberg Air Force Base; COLORADO at Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peterson Air Force Base, and Schriever Air Force Base; FLORIDA at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Patrick Air Force Base; MARYLAND at Columbia, Silver Spring, and Suitland; NEBRASKA at Offutt Air Force Base; NEW MEXICO at Albuquerque and Kirtland Air Force Base; OHIO at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; PENNSYLVANIA at Philadelphia; TEXAS at Houston and Johnson Space Center; and VIRGINIA at Arlington, Chantilly, and Falls Church.
Contact Dave Jonta, 310-336-5041, david.l.jonta@aero.org
