Josh Metz
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Josh Metz is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Monterey Bay DART Initiative, which grew out of his tenure as Economic Development Manager, then Executive Officer at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA). In those roles, Josh worked with multiple public and private sector partners to advance regional recovery from the economic impact of the 1994 Fort Ord base closure. Josh was instrumental in securing the Joby Aviation presence at the Marina Airport, and continues to work to realize a robust DART-related innovation ecosystem in the Monterey Bay and greater Central Coast region. Most recently, Josh led the development of a James Irvine Foundation funded workforce development pilot project with Joby Aviation and CSU Monterey Bay. Along with supporting the continued growth of the Monterey Bay DART Initiative, Josh also serves as a Senior Economic Development Advisor to local agencies, public universities and non-profits with the Regional Government Services Authority. He holds a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from UC Berkeley, and completed post-graduate research in spatial data systems and remote sensing at UC Santa Barbara.
Marina, California, United States
Aerospace
Established in California’s Monterey Bay region, DART is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the aerospace economy through strategic development and collaboration.
Emerging technologies in aerospace are reshaping a wide range of sectors—including transportation, national defense, public safety, natural resources, energy, and climate resiliency. As these technologies rapidly evolve, they generate an urgent need for coordinated, future-ready support systems that can adapt to shifting demands. DART addresses this need by empowering businesses through innovative strategies that strengthen capacity, foster resilience, and promote long-term economic vitality.
Emerging technologies in aerospace are reshaping a wide range of sectors—including transportation, national defense, public safety, natural resources, energy, and climate resiliency. As these technologies rapidly evolve, they generate an urgent need for coordinated, future-ready support systems that can adapt to shifting demands. DART addresses this need by empowering businesses through innovative strategies that strengthen capacity, foster resilience, and promote long-term economic vitality.
