GRACE Aerospace is a full-service aerospace manufacturer primarily supporting United States military operations. GRACE Aerospace has capabilities in product development, engineering, structural fabrication, CNC machining, electrical assembly, and systems integration. Government and commercial customers have relied on GRACE for over two decades to build and deliver sophisticated systems to exacting standards on time and on budget.
Founded in: 2001
Majority Owned by: Female
Duval County
Manufacturing
What led you to running GRACE Aerospace?
My father, Robert Carlo, started GRACE Aerospace over 20 years ago after retiring from Northrop Grumman as an F-14 Tomcat Program Manager. Now in his late 80’s, I am helping to continue his legacy of supporting our military through GRACE Aerospace’s engineering and manufacturing efforts.
What’s your company culture like?
GRACE Aerospace emphasizes integrity and doing the right thing for our customers and sharing mutual respect for our co-workers resulting in strong, honest collaboration.
What is your competitive edge?
GRACE Aerospace prides itself on providing a front-to-end solution to our customers, specifically providing turnkey solutions to our customers from liaison engineering, and obsolescence resolution to electrical and structural manufacturing and systems integration. The GRACE team has a unique ability to coordinate with customers during the engineering and prototyping process to ensure the end product will meet their needs. Customers have relied on GRACE Aerospace for our high-quality products and on-time delivery for over two decades.
Everything available; entrepreneurs need help and there is no better guidance than from someone who has been there! I have used resources through GROW FL, like the Edward Lowe Foundation and the American Academy of Entrepreneurs as well as SBA resources, like SCORE and PTAC/APEX Accelerators to identify additional business opportunities and market segments. GRACE Aerospace is actively involved with our local manufacturers association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center. In 2023, I graduated from the Athena Powerlink program which provided me with skilled mentors to help grow GRACE Aerospace.
Over the next 5 years, I want to see GRACE grow its existing customer base, obtain new customers, and increase revenues fivefold. With this growth, my goal is to develop new internal machining capabilities and enhance automation to allow for greater manufacturing efficiencies and metrics monitoring. I want my employees to continue to grow and learn new skill sets.
I am thrilled with our employee retention rate and the drive of our employees to see GRACE Aerospace succeed! In early 2023, I presented to the CareerSource Northeast Florida Board of Directors regarding assistance GRACE Aerospace received, which allowed us to upskill existing employees to become IPC certified as well as training new employees in a new career. Subsequently (May 2023), the CEO of CareerSource Northeast Florida presented to the US House of Representatives on these achievements specifically recognizing GRACE Aerospace, noting that the support enabled GRACE to perform electrical manufacturing for the Department of Energy and NASA.
What does it mean to be selected as a GrowFL FLCTW Honoree?
It is an incredible privilege to be among such successful entrepreneurs. I am so proud to see GRACE Aerospace recognized as a 2023 GrowFL FLCTW Honoree and it serves as a testament to the hard work our team has dedicated to continuously improving GRACE Aerospace.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
There are too many to list! I am truly grateful for all of the individuals and companies who have supported me and my journey in growing GRACE Aerospace. And, of course, thank you to Mom and Dad for allowing me to lead GRACE Aerospace.
What is your advice for aspiring or fellow business owners?
Persistence, grit, follow-up, and hard work are a necessity. You will have bad days and may not land your ideal job or customer, however, there are a plentiful amount of opportunities available, so keep pushing! And always be good to your employees!!
GrowFL is driven by one goal – to cultivate second-stage growth companies across the state. Second-stage companies are the backbone of Florida’s economy and the definition of economic success and prosperity.
GrowFL, through our diverse programs and services, provides proven methods to help overcome unique challenges facing second-stage companies as they grow.
