26th National Space Symposium Speakers

Mr. Alexander is president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, the industry association of businesses and organizations working to make commercial human spaceflight a reality. Previously, he served as an advisor on space issues at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under Presidents Clinton and Bush. He also led development and interagency coordination of national policies on space transportation, GPS, and commercial remote sensing. In 2009, he was appointed to the NASA Advisory Council by administrator Charles Bolden. Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.

Air Cdre Ashwell joined DigitalGlobe as the director of International Business Development within the Defense and Intelligence Business Unit on 5 October 2009. Previously, he was director of Intelligence Capability Strategy and Policy within the Ministry of Defence.  During his Royal Air Force career, Ashwell commanded several major UK Air Defence units.  His achievements include establishing the first collaborative multi intelligence, cross agency, joint narcotics analysis centre focusing on Afghanistan and the reinvigoration of UK Air Defense and Command and Control Systems following the tragic events of September 11, 2001.  Ashwell is a graduate of the University of London and an Ancien of the NATO Defense College. 

Ambassador Barrett is president and chief executive officer of Triple Creek Guest Ranch, a Montana hideaway, and serves as a member of the board of the Space Foundation.  Until January 2009, Barrett was U.S. Ambassador to Finland. Previously, she was founding chairman of Valley Bank of Arizona and president and chief executive officer of the American Management Association, the world’s largest provider of management education, leadership training, and business publishing. Barrett earned her bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees from Arizona State University.  Honorary doctorates have been conferred by Arizona State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the University of South Carolina. 

Mr. Bolden is the 12th administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., began his duties on July 17, 2009. As Administrator, he leads the NASA team and manages its resources to advance the agency's missions and goals. Prior to his nomination for the NASA administrator's job, he was employed as the chief executive officer of JACKandPANTHER LLC. His 34-year career with the Marine Corps included 14 years as a member of NASA's Astronaut Office. After joining the office in 1980, he traveled to orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions. Bolden's NASA astronaut career included technical assignments as lead astronaut for vehicle test and checkout at the Kennedy Space Center, and assistant deputy administrator at NASA Headquarters.

General Carlson is appointed as the 17th director of the National Reconnaissance Office. Prior to his appointment, after retiring from the United States Air Force, he served on the Board of Directors of EADS North America.  Previously, Carlson served as commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; and commander, 8th Air Force, Barksdale AFB, La., and Joint Functional Component Commander for Space and Global Strike, United States Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb. Carlson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a Master of Arts degree from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.

Ms. Cornell is executive director of the Space Generation Advisory Council in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications (SGAC).  SGAC is a non-governmental organization of 4,000 members in 90 countries representing advanced students and young space professionals (18-35 year olds) to the United Nations, member states, and space agencies. Previously, Cornell worked in management consulting, first with Accenture, based in San Francisco, and then with Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington, D.C. Cornell earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in science, technology, and society, with a focus in management science and engineering, from Stanford University.

Mr. DiBello is president and CEO of Space Florida. In this position, he develops and executes programs designed to retain, grow, and expand aerospace business in Florida. DiBello has more than 40 years of direct aerospace and defense industry-related experience. In addition to his current role, DiBello is the founding partner for Aerospace Capital Partners, is president and CEO of a strategic advisory and investment banking firm, and is president and CEO of Florida’s Aerospace Finance Corporation, established by the Florida legislature. DiBello earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Villanova University.

Mr. Faga is a former president and chief executive officer of The MITRE Corporation. Previously, he served as executive vice president, and was senior vice president and general manager, of MITRE's Center for Integrated Intelligence Systems. Before joining MITRE, Faga served from 1989 until 1993 as assistant secretary of the Air Force for space, where he was responsible for overall supervision of Air Force space matters while serving as director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Faga earned both a Master and Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.

As deputy administrator, Ms. Garver is NASA's second in command. Previously, she was executive director of the National Space Society, and prior to her nomination as deputy administrator, was a full-time consultant as the president of Capital Space, LLC, and senior advisor for space at the Avascent Group. Other positions at NASA included special assistant to the administrator, senior policy analyst for the Office of Policy and Plans, and associate administrator for the Office of Policy and Plans. Garver earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Colorado College and a master's degree in science, technology and public policy from George Washington University.

Mr. Hall is deputy director for the Tactical Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). He is responsible for helping DARPA develop and execute joint programs that facilitate service delivery of critical and transformational warfighting capability. Previously, Hall retired from the United States Air Force after 25 years active duty, and was an associate with Booz Allen Hamilton. Hall earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from California State University, Hayward; a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas, Austin; and A.B.D. status, Auburn University Ph.D. program in aerospace engineering.

Mr. Harris is vice president and managing director, situational awareness, for Lockheed Martin Corporation.  In this capacity, he leads the Corporation’s efforts in the cross-corporation integration of situational awareness capabilities.  Previously, he served as president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space and president of Lockheed Martin Special Programs.  Before entering the private sector, Harris served with distinction in senior national leadership positions, including assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space; director, National Reconnaissance Office, and associate executive director of the Community Management Staff. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in photographic science and instrumentation from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Mr. Hartman is a senior fellow with the CSIS Technology and Public Policy Program. His career has focused on development and execution of strategy and programs covering missile defense, cyberspace, intelligence, and space. Previously, he was senior adviser to the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics and director of the Space and Intelligence Capabilities Office (SIO).   Hartman began his career as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Hartman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in astrophysics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in strategic intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College.

Colonel Hawkins (USAF Retired) is a Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) senior fellow and chief scientist, Associate Directorate for Global Security. He is a distinguished research fellow with the Institute of Physical Science, McLean, Va., and advisor for the Marshall Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Huntington, W.Va. Previously, he was director of LANL Department of Defense Programs in the Office of the associate director for Threat Reduction, and served 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. An internationally recognized expert on modern terrorism, Hawkins served on the Presidential Panel on National Infrastructure Protection. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Clemson University.

Colonel Tom Henricks, USAF (retired) is president of The McGraw-Hill Companies’ AVIATION WEEK.  Previously he held positions with Textron Inc. and The Timken Company.  A NASA astronaut and senior manager from 1985 to 1997, he flew four Space Shuttle missions serving as commander and pilot.  While in the U. S. Air Force he served as a commander, test pilot, and fighter pilot while flying the F-16 and F-4 aircraft.  He is a graduate of the USAF Test Pilot School, Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), and the U.S. Air Force Academy.  He is an owner/operator of a 1940 Stearman bi-plane.

Mr. Holz is executive vice president and chief technology officer (CTO) of O3b Networks.  As CTO, Holz leads the engineering organization responsible for the implementation and system integration of O3b’s overall network. Previously, he worked for Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corp. as a senior program manager. Holz spent most of his career with Fairchild Space and Orbital Sciences as a spacecraft systems engineer. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in space systems and electromechanical control theory from George Washington University.

General James commands the 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Space Command, and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space, USSTRATCOM. He leads more than 20,500 personnel responsible for providing missile warning, space superiority, space situational awareness, satellite operations, space launch, and range operations. He directs all USSTRATCOM space forces, providing tailored, responsive, local and global space effects in support of national, USSTRATCOM, and combatant commander objectives. James earned a Bachelor of Science degree in astronautical engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in astronautical engineering from MIT.

General Kehler is commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He is responsible for organizing, equipping, training, and maintaining mission-ready space and cyberspace forces and capabilities for North American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and other combatant commands around the world. Kehler oversees Air Force network operations; manages a global network of satellite command and control, communications, missile warning and space launch facilities; and is responsible for space system development and acquisition. Previously, he served as deputy commander, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, Neb.; and was director, national security space integration, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. Kehler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Pennsylvania State University, State College; a Master of Science degree in public administration, University of Oklahoma, Norman; and a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies, Naval War College, Newport, R.I. 

Mr. Levin is president of SkySevenVentures, which works with, helps manage, and invests in new technology companies, particularly space-based businesses such as Terrestar Networks, Transformational Space, and Near Earth LLC. In addition, he is the chief executive officer of Sentinel Satellite and senior advisor to the chief executive officer and Board of Directors of Slacker Radio.

Levin is also the cofounder of XM Satellite Radio. Previously, he was a partner in the law firm Gurman, Kurtis, Blask & Freedman. Levin is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Space Foundation.

Deputy secretary Lynn is the 30th deputy secretary of defense. Previously, Lynn served as senior vice president of Government Operations and Strategy at Raytheon Company; executive vice president of DFI International, a Washington-based management consulting firm; the under secretary of defense; director of program analysis and evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; liaison to the Senate Armed Services Committee on the staff of Senator Edward Kennedy; a senior fellow at the National Defense University and was on the professional staff of the Institute for Defense Analyses; and as executive director of the Defense Organization Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Lynn earned a master’s degree in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, and a law degree from Cornell Law School. His publications include a book, Toward a More Effective Defense, as well as articles in various newspapers and professional journals.

Mr. Muilenburg is president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, The Boeing Company, and serves on the company's Executive Council. This $32 billion, 70,000-person business unit is a provider of integrated solutions to meet the needs of defense, government, space, intelligence, and security customers in the United States and around the world. Within Boeing Defense, Space & Security, the Boeing Military Aircraft unit includes: tactical and airlift aircraft; helicopters; weapons; unmanned airborne systems; U.S. Air Force and international tankers; and maritime and airborne surveillance programs. Previously, Muilenburg, was president of Global Services & Support; was vice president and general manager of the Boeing Combat Systems division; and program manager for Future Combat Systems (FCS), now part of Network and Tactical Systems. Muilenburg earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University and a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from the University of Washington.

Mr. Nimoy's portrayal of the intense, rational, and emotionally suppressed Vulcan, Spock, on TV’s Star Trek has left an indelible imprint on popular culture, earning him three Emmy nominations. Also a successful movie director, he is responsible for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the most successful of the Star Trek films to date; and numerous films outside of the Star Trek series. Three of his films have been ranked among the top box office successes of all time. Aside from his credits as actor and director, Nimoy has recorded ten narrative albums, authored several volumes of poetry, and his black and white art photography is represented in several galleries nationwide. In 2003, Nimoy and his wife, Susan Bay-Nimoy, founded the Nimoy Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization that provides funding for education and arts programs.

Mr. Panahy is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and a member of the Transportation and Space Finance Group.  He represents clients in the aerospace, communications, and banking industries involved in space and communications ventures.  His experience includes representing satellite operators, space-segment manufacturers, launch services providers, communications companies, banks, and private equity firms in numerous financings. Panahy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations and Spanish from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from the American University, Washington College of Law.

Mr. Pulham is the chief executive officer of the Space Foundation. Prior to joining the Space Foundation, he was senior manager of public relations, employee communication and advertising for all space programs of The Boeing Company, where he served as spokesperson at the Kennedy Space Center for a half-dozen space shuttle flights. Pulham’s non-profit experience includes serving as executive director of the Kona-Kohala, Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce, and as director of corporate communication for the Boeing Employees Good Neighbor Fund.  He is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and an alumnus of the University of Hawaii. 

Bill Ritter, Jr., was elected as Colorado's 41st governor in 2006 -- the first Colorado-born governor in more than 35 years. A former district attorney in Denver, Gov. Ritter and his wife, Jeannie operated a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia, Africa, from 1987 to1990.  His interests in Colorado include renewable energy, business development and job creation, and K-12 education reforms.  He is also working to modernize Colorado’s transportation system, protect natural treasures and improve the way state government does business.  He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Colorado State University, and his law degree from the University of Colorado.

Mr. Sheehan is president of Analytical Graphics, Inc., (AGI), which develops physics-based commercial off-the-shelf software that computes and depicts the relationships among moving objects over time. Before taking the helm at AGI in 2009, Sheehan spent 12 years with TruePosition Inc., where he served as software development director, vice president - product development, chief technology officer and, ultimately, president and chief operating officer. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Washington University, St. Louis.

Ms. Shotwell is president of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX). She previously served as SpaceX’s vice president of Business Development. Shotwell is active in the professional aerospace community as an executive member of the California Space Authority Board of Directors and head of the Frank J. Redd student scholarship competition. Shotwell developed curricula and taught courses in systems engineering at the introductory, management, and team levels, and has authored papers in a wide variety of areas from standardizing spacecraft/payload interfaces to space shuttle integration and reentry vehicle operational risks. Shotwell earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics from Northwestern University.

Mr. Teets served as under secretary of the Air Force and director of the National Reconnaissance Office. As under secretary, he was responsible for actions of the Air Force on behalf of the secretary of the Air Force and was acting secretary in the secretary's absence.  Previously, Teets was president and COO of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Teets earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado, where he also received an Honorary Doctor of Science; he also earned a Master of Science degree in management from MIT.  In 2009, Teets received The General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award. 

Mr. Wang is the director of the Chinese Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).   Under his leadership, CMSEO is primarily charged with the responsibility to jointly operate the engineering and administrative functions of the manned space flight program. CMSEO has eight subdivisions. They encompass astronautics; spacecraft development & operation; launch vehicle development & operation; launch site operations; telemetry, tracking & communications; landing; life support systems and space applications. The high profile product of this undertaking has been the Shenzhou manned space vehicle missions. Notably Shenzhou 3, 5, and 7 were highly successful manned missions that demonstrated increased Chinese proficiency in manned space flight. The next immediate program milestones for Shenzhou are the development, launch and operation of missions to the Tiangong-1 space station.

Dr. Weissenberg is the director for Aerospace, GMES, Security and Defence, European Commission. His current responsibilities include the set-up of the EU's Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES) initiative, space and security research and the development of the European space policy in the context of the new EU space competence given by the Lisbon Treaty. Previously, he was head of the Single Market Directorate responsible inter alia for automotive and pharmaceutical legislation. He was a member of the Management Board of the European Medicines Agency. Weissenberg started working for the European Commission in 1989 as Member of Cabinet of Dr. Martin Bangemann, vice-president for Industrial Policy. Weissenberg studied law at the Universities of Würzburg and Freiburg (Germany), followed by post-graduate studies in European law in Geneva (Switzerland) and by a Ph.D. (Docteur en droit) in European law at the University of Geneva.

General Wolters is director of Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. The directorate is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping all Air Force space and missile operations. The mission area includes missile warning, nuclear event detection, space control, intercontinental ballistic missile, spacelift and range operations, satellite command and control, information operations, aerospace weather, helicopter and airfield operations, and command and control. The directorate integrates space capabilities into the operational level of war and develops space exploitation and ICBM employment concepts. Previously, he served as deputy commander, Political-Military Affairs, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, and held staff positions at U.S. Pacific Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and U.S. Central Command. Wolters earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy; a master's degree in aeronautical science technology from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and a master's degree in strategic studies, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

Ms. Wray is a foreign affairs officer at the U.S. Department of State in the Office of Missile Defense and Space Policy.  As a presidential management fellow, she completed a rotation in the Space Policy Directorate within the Office of the Secretary of Defense where she took part in the drafting of the DoD International Space Cooperation Strategy.  Wray earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles, as well as a Master of Arts degree in international relations and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.