OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Washington governor has appointed a new head of the state Office of Aerospace to lead efforts to develop the aerospace industry sector.

Starting Tuesday, John Thornquist will serve as the main contact for North American and international aerospace companies looking to expand their presence in Washington.

Thornquist graduated from Arizona State University with mechanical engineering degree and earned a master's in business administration from the University of Washington's Foster School of Business.

He has 28 years of experience in business and engineering, working most recently as CEO of Everett-based Carbon Aerospace. He also co-founded an engineering services company now called Kaman Engineering, where he was director of Boeing programs.

Thornquist will be based in the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness.

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