The Senate late last week confirmed Jordan Gillis as assistant Army secretary for installations, energy and environment. He served in the position in an acting capacity during the first Trump administration. He also served as assistant defense secretary for sustainment. Gillis is a longtime supporter of defense communities. He served on a panel earlier this year at ADC’s Defense Communities National Summit, where he discussed the future of the defense industrial base, including manufacturing partnership opportunities. “Where I think we could see a lot more of that are the communities adjacent to the organic industrial base facilities,” Gillis told ADC Executive Director Matt Borron at the event. “Those are just great opportunities with a highly educated workforce who have demand for STEM, possibly increased production…. Those communities in particular, university partnerships, other corporate partnerships would be great opportunities there.” Army photo from 2019 by Emily Jennings