The Aerospace Corporation Named One of
AARP’S Best Employers for Workers Over 50
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (8/31/05) -- For the third time, The Aerospace Corporation has been selected as one of AARP’s Best Employers for Workers Over 50, AARP announced today. 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 and 2003 as well.
“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,” he added.
“We are extremely honored to once again be recognized by AARP as one of the top companies in the nation regarding our practices toward older workers,” said William F. Ballhaus Jr., president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation. “We have recognized through the years the value of experienced and knowledgeable workers. This award is an affirmation of our practices regarding this indispensable segment of our workforce.”
Nearly one-half of The Aerospace Corporation’s 3,500 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 employees who want to continue working after they retire.
Mary M. (Marie) Waller Simmons, the company’s Equal Employment Opportunity administrator, pointed out that some 90 percent of employees older than 50 developed their careers at the company.
“Most of our senior employees began their careers at Aerospace or joined the company early in their careers when they were in their 20s,” she said. “Conveying the experience gained over a long career at Aerospace to newer engineers is one of the most valuable contributions made by our senior employees,” Waller Simmons said.
“Having this wealth of experience also makes us an attractive company for younger engineers, particularly recent graduates and others just starting their careers who have the opportunity to grow under the direction of some of the world’s most distinguished and knowledgeable scientists and engineers,” she added.
The Aerospace Corporation and other honorees are to be formally recognized by AARP at a dinner in Chicago on September 22.
The Aerospace Corporation is an independent, nonprofit company that provides objective technical analyses and assessments for national security space programs and selected civil and commercial space programs in the national interest.
