Aerospace giants such as Grumman “needed better subcontractors who could take on and complete big, sophisticated projects,” said Pete Rettaliata, former senior procurement executive at Grumman and former CEO of Air Industries Group in Bay Shore.

“Dan Shybunko helped these subcontractors and became a subcontractor himself. In doing so, he helped build a sustainable aerospace industry on Long Island that can compete globally for business,” Rettaliata said Friday.