An aerospace executive will be the featured speaker at the 102nd annual Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet next month.

Ginger Barnes, president and chief executive of United Space Alliance, will address the business group on Feb. 7 at the K.E. White Center.

Chamber President Kelly Thorsby said a representative of Coast Guard contractor DRS was instrumental in getting Barnes as the speaker.

“It fits in beautifully with our growing need for education in space aviation,” Thorsby said.

The event will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

United Space Alliance, based in Houston, was created as a joint venture by Boeing and Lockheed Martin and has served as the prime contractor on the space shuttle program.

Barnes joined United Space Alliance in April 2010 after approximately 29 years with Boeing.

She holds a degree in accounting from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Located in the northern part of Alabama, Huntsville is called “The Rocket City” for its history with the nation’s space missions. Barnes also holds a master’s degree in business from Vanderbilt University.

During the Feb. 7 event, Chamber Board Chairwoman Ann Hoffman will be handing the Chamber’s leadership gavel to Donnie Gardner. The members of the 2013 Chamber board of directors also will be announced.

In addition, the Chamber will be presenting awards to the business of the year, non-profit of the year, ambassador of the year and volunteer of the year. 

Tickets to the event are $40 each, while corporate tables of eight persons are available for $350.

For more information, phone the Chamber at 335-4365.