Innovative Minds, LLC - President/Owner- IP Development and Licensing- International Business Development- Engineering/Product Development Services- Aerospace Industry and adjacent marketsMr. George H. Schafer is president and owner of Innovative Minds, LLC (IM), a US product and business development company for the aerospace industry and adjacent markets. He has over 41 years of experience in the aerospace industry, 18 years of business development experience, 15 spent working with China. He has a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University graduating in the top 10%, and was named Engineer of the Year by the Society for Mechanical Engineers in 1997. For 22 years, Mr. Schafer had major responsibility for the K-MAX helicopter program at Kaman Aerospace, a helicopter specifically designed for external load operations. He started the program in 1990 with Mr. Kaman and Chief Test Pilot Al Ashley, was Chief of Design and Program Manager, and was responsible for design, development, and FAA certification with budgets extending to $50,000,000 and reported to CEO Mr. Charles Kaman. He was responsible for the production, engineering, customer support, schedules, supply chain, man-power planning, budgets, cost reduction initiatives, and overall program performance. Mr. Schafer directed FAA certification efforts for airworthiness release of major changes and ensured K-MAX compliance with FAA FAR Part 27. Mr. Schafer was also responsible for IR&D for K-MAX Engineering Programs with budgets ranging from $500,000- $6,000,000/yr.His 40+year relationship with Kaman Aerospace continues for sales of the K-MAX to the China market, where Mr. Schafer played a key role in receiving China CAAC Certification and subsequently delivering the first two aircraft to China for use by the, now, Ministry of Emergency ManagementUnder contract with the US Army, IM is providing IM’s patented Auto-Capture Hook (ACH) used for unattended external load pickup and delivery. IM has several unique products under development, in addition to the ACH, in the aerospace and consumer markets.