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Speakers

The initial lineup of speakers and panelists is listed below. The Space Foundation secures key executives from various sectors of the space industry to take part in featured speeches and focused panel discussions. Click each speaker link to view a larger photo and complete biography. Check back often to see the latest additions to the 26th National Space Symposium speaker list.

Under Secretary of the Air Force/Secretary of the Air Force and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 1981-1988
Mr. Aldridge retired from government service in May 2003 as the under secretary of defense (acquisition, technology, and logistics). Prior to this appointment, Aldridge was president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, Calif....
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President, Commercial Spaceflight Federation and Chair, Commercial Space Committee, NASA Advisory Council
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...
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Vice President for Space Strategy, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, Raytheon Company
General Arnold is vice president and general manager of Space Systems at Raytheon Company’s Space and Airborne Systems business. Prior to joining Raytheon, Arnold served as Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command,...
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Vice President International Business Development, DigitalGlobe
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...
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Chairman, Space Foundation Board and former President and Chief Executive Officer, The Aerospace Corporation
Dr. Ballhaus is the former president and chief executive officer of The Aerospace Corporation. Under his leadership there were no failures in over 50 launches of Air Force and National Reconnaissance Office satellite systems for which Aerospace had...
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Director of Institutional Affairs, Euroconsult and Managing Director, Euroconsult North America
Mr. Bochinger is director of institutional affairs, Euroconsult, and managing director, Euroconsult North America. He has been in charge of, and contributed to, a number consulting works for public institutions, military agencies, space agencies,...
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Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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...
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Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber and Space Policy
Mr. Butler is deputy assistant secretary of defense for Cyber and Space Policy. He is responsible for providing insightful policy advice and support to the secretary of defense and other senior Department of Defense (DOD) leaders.  Previously,...
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Director, National Reconnaissance Office
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...
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President & Chief Operating Officer, Space Systems/Loral
As president of Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), Mr. Celli is the company’s top executive and is responsible for its strategic direction.  He has more than 30 years of industry experience and has previously served with the company as chief operating...
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Executive Director, Space Generation Advisory Council
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...
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President and Chief Executive Officer, Space Florida
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-...
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Secretary of the Air Force
Secretary Donley is the secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. He is the 22nd Secretary and was confirmed Oct. 2, 2008. He is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping, and...
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Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 1989-1993
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...
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Entrepreneur, Famed Video Game Developer, and Private Space Explorer
Mr. Garriott is a space explorer, award-winning computer game developer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and adventure traveler.  Garriott launched aboard a Russian Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft to the International Space Station and became the...
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Deputy Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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...
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Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 1997-2001
Mr. Hall joined Booz Allen Hamilton after serving as acting director and director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), where he was responsible for the acquisition and operation of all U.S. space-based reconnaissance and intelligence systems...
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Deputy Director, Tactical Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
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...
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Senior Vice President, Strategy and Development, Orbital Sciences Corporation
General Hamel’s extensive military career included his two most recent assignments as commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., and commander of the 14th Air Force "Flying Tigers," He...
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Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 1994-1996
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. ...
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Director, Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies, United States Air Force Academy

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Senior Fellow, Technology & Public Policy, Center for Strategic and International Studies

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Senior Fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory and Chief Scientist, Principal Associate Directorate for Global Security (PADGS)

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Director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command
Maj. Gen. Susan J. Helms is director of Plans and Policy, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.  Previously, she was selected by NASA, and became an astronaut.  While she was an Air Force major and a member of the space...
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Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, O3B Networks USA, LLC
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...
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General Manager, MDA Geospatial Services
Dr. Hornsby has been with MDA Geospatial Services Inc. (formerly RADARSAT International) since 1991, holding the position of president since 2003. Previously, he was employed in the remote sensing industry for more than 23 years, both in the public...
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Commander, Joint Functional Component Command - Space, United States Strategic Command and Commander, 14th Air Force
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...
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Chief Scientist for Orbital Debris, NASA
Mr. Johnson is NASA chief scientist for Orbital Debris at the NASA Johnson Space Center.  He serves as the agency authority in the field of orbital debris, including all aspects of environment definition, present and future, and the operational...
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Commander, Air Force Space Command
General Kehler is commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He is responsible for the development, acquisition, and operation of the Air Force's space and missile systems. Kehler oversees a global network of satellite...
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Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force (Intelligence Space Technology) and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 2005-2007
Dr. Kerr is a research professor in George Mason University’s Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering. Previously, he was confirmed by the Senate on October 4th, 2007, as principal deputy director of national intelligence. Prior to...
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Director, Space and Intelligence, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics

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Director, Industrial Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
Mr. Lambert joined the United States Department of Defense (DoD) as director of Industrial Policy in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Technology) (DUSD (A&T)). He is principle advisor to the USD (AT&L)...
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Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force (Intelligence and Space Technology) and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 2007-2009
Mr. Large is a senior vice president and strategic advisor for SRA International. Large became the 16th director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and was appointed assistant to the secretary of the Air Force (intelligence space...
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Treasurer, Space Foundation Board of Directors
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...
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Under Secretary of the Air Force/Secretary of the Air Force and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 1977-1979
Dr. Mark is a professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin. Previously, Mark was named director of defense research and engineering for the Department of Defense; served as chancellor of The...
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Director Emeritus, Space Foundation Board and Former Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force
General Moorman retired as a partner with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he headed their Air Force and National Aeronautics and Space Administration business, the firm’s cyber business, and established and led the Space Campaign. Previously, Moorman was...
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Executive Vice President, The Boeing Company & President and Chief Executive Officer, Boeing Defense, Space & Security
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...
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Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration
Dr. Nield is the associate administrator for Commercial Space Transportation at the Federal Aviation Administration. He has more than 30 years of aerospace experience with the Air Force, at NASA, and in private industry. Previously, Nield was the...
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American actor, film director, poet, musician, and photographer. Famous for playing the character of Spock on the original Star Trek television series and films.
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...
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Host of "This Week in Space"
Mr. O'Brien is a broadcast news veteran based in New York City. He owns a production company that creates, produces, and distributes original content across all media platforms. For nearly 17 years he worked as a correspondent, anchor, and producer...
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Professor of the Practice of International Affairs Director, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University
Dr. Pace is the director of the Space Policy Institute and a professor of practice in international affairs at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.  Previusly he served as the associate administrator for...
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Partner, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
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...
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Head of Business Growth, Astrium Services
Mr. Paynter is chief executive officer of Astrium Limited in the UK. Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS – the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company. Astrium is Europe’s leading space company with activities covering satellites,...
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Astrotech Corporation
Mr. Pickens is the president and chief executive officer of Astrotech Corporation and a member of the company's board of directors.  He is also the managing partner and founder of Tactic Advisors, Inc. and is currently a director for both...
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Chief Executive Officer, Space Foundation
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...
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Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, United States House of Representatives
Representative Ruppersberger is serving his fourth term in the United States House of Representatives for Maryland’s 2nd District. He serves on the prestigious Appropriations Committee; the House Select Committee on Intelligence; on the Homeland...
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Author, Space Wars and Counterspace
Mr. Scott is a former Rocky Mountain bureau chief for AVIATION WEEK magazine. Previously, he also served as senior national editor, avionics editor and senior engineering editor. He is a co-author of three books: Counterspace: The Next Hours of...
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President, SpaceX
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...
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Chief Operating Officer, Futron Corporation

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Deputy Commanding General for Operations, U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command
General Story is deputy commanding general for operations, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command / Army Forces Strategic Command.  Previously, he was director of operations, Joint Forces Component Command - Space, Vandenberg Air Force...
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Under Secretary of the Air Force and Director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 2001-2005
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...
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Commander, 24th Air Force
General Webber is the commander, 24th Air Force, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is responsible for the Air Force's newest numbered air force which will provide combatant commanders with trained and ready cyber forces to plan and conduct...
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Director for Aerospace, GMES, Security and Defence, European Commission
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...
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President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Space LLC
General Weston is president and chief executive officer of U.S. Space, LLC, a firm dedicated to using commercial financing and development practices to provide military satellite capability to the U.S. government.  Previously, he was a vice...
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Managing Director and Senior Equity Analyst; Aerospace, Defense, and Defense Electronics: Morgan Stanley
Ms. Wood is managing director and senior equity analyst in Aerospace, Defense and Defense electronics for Morgan Stanley.  She first joined Morgan Stanley as a vice president, rising to executive director, before attaining her current position...
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Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State
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...
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