47G appoints Brad Wilson as board chair and Joe Kaiser to its board, strengthening leadership amid Utah’s rapid aerospace and defense industry expansion.
Salt Lake City, Utah — April 23, 2025
Utah-based aerospace and defense coalition 47G has appointed Brad Wilson, former Utah House Speaker and current CEO of the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Organizing Committee, as its new board chair. Wilson succeeds former U.S. Congressman Chris Stewart, who will remain on the board as immediate past chair.
In a tandem announcement, 47G also welcomed Joe Kaiser, CEO and Managing Director of Mercato Partners, to its board. Both appointments signal a strategic pivot toward deeper leadership as Utah’s aerospace, defense, and space sectors hit historic levels of growth and national relevance.
“These are heavyweight leaders,” said Aaron Starks, president and CEO of 47G. “Brad was a consistent champion of 47G during his time as Speaker, and now he’s leading our board at a pivotal moment. Joe brings unmatched financial acumen that will accelerate our impact on Utah’s innovation economy.”
A Powerhouse at the Helm
Brad Wilson’s resume spans both the public and private sectors. He served twelve years in the Utah Legislature, including four as Speaker of the House, and built a successful real estate development career after starting in finance. His track record includes spearheading economic policies that helped vault Utah to the top of national business rankings.
Now leading Olympic preparations for 2034, Wilson’s appointment to 47G aligns the organization closely with state-level efforts to integrate aerospace innovation into Olympic infrastructure.
“47G is a crucial partner in the Olympic buildout,” said Wilson. “From aerodynamic training tools to advanced materials, Utah’s tech and defense sectors are going all-in to support the Games. I’m honored to help lead that charge.”
Industry Momentum
According to new data from the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, aerospace and defense industries now account for 19.3% of the state’s economy—over $100 billion in annual revenue and 500,000 jobs. That puts Utah at the top of the growth charts nationwide, and 47G at the center of several high-stakes initiatives.
Among them: Project Alta, an ambitious plan to deploy electric aircraft for passenger and cargo transport in time for the 2034 Games. The project is a cornerstone of Utah’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vision, developed in partnership with the Utah Department of Transportation.
The organization is also helping shape the soon-to-launch Spaceport Exploration Committee—a public-private body tasked with evaluating the feasibility of building a commercial spaceport in Utah.
Strategic Capital Joins the Mission
Joe Kaiser, whose firm Mercato Partners backs high-growth companies in frontier tech, joins the board as a major asset in scaling those efforts. With a background in M&A and complex financial structuring, Kaiser’s perspective adds critical investment insight as 47G gears up for its next phase.
“I’ve worked with some of the most promising companies in tech and finance, but few sectors have the transformative potential we’re seeing now in aerospace and defense,” said Kaiser. “I’m excited to help drive the next wave of innovation in Utah.”
What’s Next
47G’s leadership shuffle comes at a time of accelerating convergence between Utah’s economic strategy, Olympic infrastructure, and national defense priorities. With Wilson and Kaiser on board, the organization is doubling down on its role as a central driver of that convergence.
“This is about more than boards and titles,” said Starks. “This is about shaping the future of Utah—and we’ve got the right people at the table.”
For more information, visit 47G.org.