Jim Corning, a respected local business leader in a career that spans aviation, engineering, composites and ballistic protection has been appointed to the Greater Flagstaff Chamber Board of Directors.

Corning is the Founder and CEO of Novakinetics Aerosystems and Kinetic Defense.

After earning a Mechanical Engineering degree from MIT, he began working in aviation in 1985 and has since focused on designing and upgrading aircraft systems.

Jim's achievements include FAA-PMA approval for Pratt & Whitney engine crankshafts, designing helicopter armor and ballistic blankets for the Department of State, and developing carbon fiber SATCOM reflectors. In 1996, he founded Novakinetics Aerosystems Inc. in Flagstaff, producing a wide range of composite parts, from aircraft components to Grizzly bear-resistant containers.

Jim also co-founded Prometheus Solar in 2008 and later established Kinetic Defense, which developed ballistic armor for over 100 aircraft and helicopters for the Department of State Air Wing. Jim has built a Flagstaff team of 40+ employees skilled in composites, CNC machining, and engineering, operating under an AS9100-certified quality system since 2016.