Ofenloch to focus on accelerating occupancy, campus expansion and growth of state-of-the-art aerospace and defense facility

AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI”), a private equity firm specializing in national security, aerospace and industrial services, today announced that the AE Shoals Manufacturing & Technology Center (“AE Shoals”), has appointed John Ofenloch as President.

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John Ofenloch (Photo: Business Wire)

Acquired in January from the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA), the AE Shoals Manufacturing & Technology Center is situated on 638 acres in Cherokee, Alabama and contains 2.27 million square feet of industrial-zoned manufacturing capacity that is operational and ready for use today. The facility will serve as a manufacturing and technology center of innovation focused on the national security, aerospace, and industrial services sectors. In addition to Ofenloch, leading development expert Mike Lanier and facility manager Nick Willis have joined as Vice President of Development and Facility Manager, respectively.

“We are excited to leverage John's decades of experience and regional expertise to accelerate our growth as we prepare to welcome our first tenants in the coming months,” said Chris Emerson, Senior Partner at AE Industrial. “We extend our gratitude to our partners at the RSA and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for their exceptional collaboration. Together, we've worked hand in hand to establish the Center as the premier facility for defense, aerospace, and industrial innovators in the region.”

Ofenloch has more than 30 years of leadership experience across various industries, including telecommunications, technology, and integrated manufacturing. He was most recently a Portfolio CEO and Operating Partner at Satori Capital. A native of nearby Huntsville, Ofenloch holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Auburn University and an MBA in finance from Southern Methodist University.

“I am excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative, where we have the opportunity to bring high quality, high-tech manufacturing jobs back to the United States,” said Ofenloch. “Growing up in Huntsville, I got to watch my father work on the Apollo missions and space related initiatives, and now I feel as if I’ve come full circle, helping foster the growth of companies that will drive the next generation of national security and aerospace leadership.”

About AE Industrial Partners

AE Industrial Partners is a private investment firm with $6.2 billion of assets under management focused on highly specialized markets including aerospace, national security, and industrial services. AE Industrial Partners has completed more than 130 investments in market-leading companies that benefit from its deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and network of relationships across the sectors where the firm invests. With a commitment to driving value creation in partnership with the management teams of its portfolio companies, AE Industrial Partners invests across private equity, venture capital (AEI HorizonX), and aerospace leasing.

About AE Shoals Manufacturing & Technology Center

AE Shoals is dedicated to establishing a Manufacturing & Technology Center of Excellence in Northern Alabama focused on serving the National Security, Aerospace, and Industrial Services sectors. Committed to innovation and quality, this state-of-the-art facility will contribute to industry advancement and regional economic growth.

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