CANDIDATES FOR OFFICERS 2012-2014
President: Lyn D. Wigbels – President of RWI International Consulting Services and Senior
Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Space Initiatives Program
Ms. Wigbels has over 15 years experience as a senior government executive at NASA in the policy and
programmatic arenas and more than 25 years experience in developing and managing international programs.
From 1994 to 2003, Ms. Wigbels served in a variety of management roles (Deputy Director, Director of
International Programs and Director of Communications) for NASA’s GLOBE Program, a hands-on, schoolbased international science and education program in more than 100 countries. She represented GLOBE,
UCAR in Washington from 2003-2005.
Ms. Wigbels joined NASA's International Affairs Division in 1979 where she developed and negotiated
numerous international space cooperation agreements. She developed the International Space Station
agreements governing cooperation with Europe, Japan and Canada, and was a member of the governmentlevel and agency-level negotiating teams. From 1988 to 1990, she was Director of Space Station Policy,
responsible for the policy aspects of the International Space Station Program and for managing the
implementation of the international partnerships. From 1990 to 1992, as Deputy Director of Policy and Plans
for the Office of Space Flight, in addition to her Space Station responsibilities, she developed policies related to
the Space Shuttle and expendable launch vehicles. She also was responsible for establishing a bilateral
partnership with Italy on the Space Station and led the U.S. negotiating team. From 1992 to 1994, as Director
of Policy and Plans for the Office of Space Systems Development, Ms. Wigbels was responsible for the policy
aspects of the Space Station and NASA's future space development activities. She continued to manage the
implementation of the Space Station agreements, supported the Director, Space Station Redesign, on the
policy and international aspects of redesigning the Space Station, and played a key role in the development of
the National Space Transportation Policy. In 1994-1995, she led a NASA-wide review of its science
communications activities and developed a NASA Science Communications Strategy.
Prior to joining NASA, Ms. Wigbels was a managing editor at Prentice-Hall, Inc.'s Washington Office,
responsible for economic and labor issues.
Ms. Wigbels received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and her MA
in Political Science with a concentration in science and technology policy from George Washington University.
Ms. Wigbels is currently Executive Vice President at the American Astronautical Society (AAS) after previously
serving as AAS Vice President – International and on the AAS Board of Directors. She is the International
Astronautical Federation (IAF) Vice President for Youth and Workforce Development Activities and previously
chaired the IAF Space Education and Outreach Committee. Ms. Wigbels is Vice Chair of the Future Space
Leaders Foundation. She is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics International
Activities and Public Policy Committees. Ms. Wigbels previously served on the Board of Trustees of the
International Space University (ISU).
Ms. Wigbels was elected as a Fellow of the American Astronautical Society in 2006 and as an Associate Fellow
of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2011.
Executive Vice President: J. Walter Faulconer – President of Strategic Space Solutions
Mr. Faulconer founded Strategic Space Solutions in May of 2010 to provide a full range of consulting services
to help customers be more successful in their strategic planning in uncertain times, win new business to grow
their bottom line, and strengthen basic systems engineering and management practices for mission success.
He and his associates are supporting civilian, national security and commercial space clients.
Previously Walt was the Business Area Executive for Civilian Space at the Johns Hopkins University’s Applied
Physics Laboratory, which has built over 60 spacecraft and over 150 scientific instruments. His responsibilities
included managing all aspects of the Civilian Space Business Area: execution of all programs; development of
new business which accounted for 20% of APL's overall revenues; and managed over 500 scientists and
engineers. Programs included the development, launching and operations of the NASA New Horizons mission
to Pluto, the MESSENGER mission to Mercury and the twin STEREO spacecraft to study the sun. Mr.
Faulconer's leadership helped to develop a backlog of new and exciting missions including the twin Radiations
Belt Storm Probe satellites to be launched in 2012, the Lunar Robotic Lander, the Solar Probe Plus mission to
the sun to be launched in 2018 and the Europa flagship mission with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to be
launched in 2020. Mr. Faulconer was personally selected to serve as a member of the NASA Constellation
Standing Review Board.
Previously Walt served in various capacities for 26 years at Lockheed Martin. He was the Director for Space
Exploration Business Development for Space Systems Company. At Lockheed, he was responsible for the
business development and marketing campaign for Space Exploration including: Shuttle Return to Flight,
International Space Station, and Project Constellation–Crew Exploration Vehicle.
Walt’s roles at Lockheed Martin included Director for Business Development for the Space Transportation line
of business, including Atlas and Titan launch vehicles, and Advanced Space Transportation. He also served as
director of Strategic Planning and Development for Space Systems Company, responsible for leading the
strategic planning and development team. Before that, he served as the program manager for the 2nd
Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle program as part of the Space Launch Initiative. Previous to that he was
the business development manager for Reusable Space Transportation within Space Systems line of business.
Since 1978 he has held progressively more responsible positions within Lockheed Martin (formerly Martin
Marietta), including systems engineering and mission operations positions on the space shuttle integration
program, advanced launch programs, manned maneuvering unit program, and classified satellite programs. He
was the systems engineering and test manager for the classified P716 program and program manager for the
Automated Highway System demonstration program with the Department of Transportation.
Walt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in space sciences from the Florida Institute of Technology and a
masters degree in systems management from the University of Southern California. Walt was born in Warren,
Ohio. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Logan and Kyle.
Vice President - Technical: David Spencer – Professor of Aerospace Engineering at The
Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Spencer’s research areas include: spacecraft dynamics and controls, trajectory optimization, space systems
engineering, and theoretical and applied astrodynamics.
From 1985 to 1990, he was a Member of the Technical Staff in the Astrodynamics Department at The
Aerospace Corporation in Los Angeles. He worked for the Air Force Research Laboratory (and its
predecessor, the Air Force Phillips Laboratory), Kirtland AFB, New Mexico from 1991 to 1999 in various
positions in the Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/VS) including program manager, deputy branch, and branch
technical advisor. He joined the faculty at Penn State in August, 1999. He is a Fellow of AAS, an Associate
Fellow of AIAA, an Associate Editor for the AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets and is a member of the
AIAA Astrodynamics Technical Committee and the International Astronautical Federation’s Astrodynamics
committee and Space Education and Outreach committee. He has also previously served as a member of the
AAS Space Flight Mechanics Technical Committee, is a member of the AAS Awards Committee, and has been
the general co-chair (once) and technical co-chair (twice) for AAS co-sponsored conferences. He currently is
Vice President, Technical for AAS.
Dr. Spencer received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, an M.S. in Aeronautics
and Astronautics from Purdue University, an MBA from Penn State and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering
Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Vice President - Programs: Harley Thronson – Senior Scientist for Advanced Concepts in
Astrophysics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Dr. Thronson’s current responsibilities include assessment of advanced human/robotic programs in
coordination with other NASA Centers, academia, and industry.
Previously, while working at NASA Headquarters, he was responsible for selection of advanced technologies to
enable future science missions. He also was the program scientist for the Hubble Space Telescope, the Spitzer
Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, the SOFIA airborne observatory, and the NASA
Astrobiology Program. He has been the senior scientist on several long-range planning teams and is co-chair of
the Future In-Space Operations (FISO) telecom colloquia. He has published more than 120 research papers
and edited eleven books. He has chaired the planning team for more a dozen professional conferences and
symposia.
Dr. Thronson received his Ph.D. in astrophysics in 1978 from the University of Chicago and has been a faculty
member and on the senior staff of the Universities of Arizona and Wyoming, and the Royal Observatory,
Edinburgh.
Vice President - Publications: Richard D. Burns – Project Manager for the Space Science
Mission Operations (SSMO) Project at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Mr. Burns has management responsibility for thirteen on-orbit NASA space science missions operated at
Goddard and around the country. Mr. Burns started at Goddard in 2001, as Lead Engineer of the Formation
Flying Testbed and soon began working as GN&C Systems Engineer for the Hubble Robotic Servicing and
Deorbit Mission. After the decision was made to return to shuttle-based servicing, he continued to work on the
Hubble Project, as Principal Investigator of the Relative Navigation Sensor Experiment until he transitioned to
SSMO as Deputy Project Manager in 2007.
Prior to joining NASA, Mr. Burns worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base for ten
years as a Research Engineer, focusing on orbit determination and spacecraft formation flying. Mr. Burns
received a Bachelors degree from Notre Dame and a Masters degree from Stanford, both in Mechanical
Engineering. Mr. Burns has been an active member of AAS since 1998, and was the AAS General Chair of the
AAS-AIAA Astrodynamics Conference held at Mackinac Island, MI, in 2007.
Vice President - Strategic Communications and Outreach: Mary Lynne Dittmar – CEO of
Dittmar Associates
Dr. Mary Lynne Dittmar is CEO of Dittmar Associates Inc., a woman-owned business headquartered in
Houston, Texas, and focused on aerospace and defense. DAI specializes in business development, strategic
planning, communications, program management consulting, innovative business processes, and change
management in both public and private sectors. In addition to her duties as CEO, Mary Lynne is a strategic
advisor to executive leaders in government, industry, and on international teams in aerospace and high-tech
sectors. She provides insight into legislative, regulatory and policy processes at the regional and national level,
and helps executives set direction for engagement with customers, influencers, stakeholders, and the public.
This will be Mary Lynne’s second term as VP for Strategic Communications and Outreach. In her first, she led
AAS’s Strategic Offsite Meeting and spearheaded the development of a communications framework that has
been in use since that time. She also conducted a membership survey, compiling those results and providing
valuable feedback to AAS Leadership.
Before founding DAI, Dr. Dittmar was a Senior Manager for Program Development at The Boeing Company
where she also served in a dual role as Chief Scientist for Boeing’s commercial space payloads program.
Earlier technical assignments at Boeing included management of the ISS Research & Development program
for operations and training technologies, Manager of Flight Operations for the International Space Station, and
Special Assistant to NASA for the ISS International Training Control Board, where she helped to develop and
negotiate technical and programmatic issues pertaining to astronaut and cosmonaut training with the Russian,
Japanese, European and Canadian space agencies.
More recently, Mary Lynne has focused on value propositions and strategic communications for Space
Exploration. In 2004 she funded and directed landmark research into public perception of the NASA Vision for
Space Exploration, later published as The Market Study for Space Exploration. She directed a national survey
on space exploration, the space economy, and public perception of NASA for the NASA Office of Strategic
Communications in 2007, advised on strategic communications for the Human Exploration and Mission
Operations Directorate from 2008-2011, and was a contributor to the development of the recently adopted
Framework for Strategic Communications for the agency.
Dr. Dittmar was recently appointed to serve on the National Academies/National Research Council’s
Committee for Human Space Flight, which was created in accord with the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 to
undertake a study to review the long-term goals, core capabilities, and direction of the U.S. human spaceflight
program and make recommendations to enable a sustainable U.S. human spaceflight program. She is a
Fellow of the United States Research Society Sigma Xi and a member of the Economics Technical Committee
of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She has published more than 50 articles in science,
artificial intelligence, virtual reality, engineering, and the humanities.
Vice President - Membership: Larry Richardson – Manager of Business Development for
United Launch Alliance (ULA).
Larry Richardson’s responsibilities include working directly with the U.S. government civil, NASA, and
commercial customer communities for launch services with the Atlas and Delta product lines. Prior to his
current position, Richardson was the Business Development manager for the International Space Station’s
Space Flight Programs and Commercialization for The Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Mr. Richardson’s previous career included serving as a legislative staffer to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (RNM) with the Brookings Institution’s Congressional Fellowship program. Larry was responsible for Commerce,
Transportation, and Small Business issues. He was also the Business Development manager for Missile
Defense programs for McDonnell Douglas Corporation where he also worked in its Washington Operations
office with U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy customers. Richardson began his aerospace career as a project
design engineer for the Navy’s Tomahawk and Harpoon missile programs for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace in
St. Louis, Mo.
Mr. Richardson’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering
and an engineering internship with Philip Morris, USA in Richmond, Va. Richardson is a member of the
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Astronautical Society.
Vice President - Education: Lance Bush – President & CEO, Challenger Center for Space
Science Education
As President and CEO, Dr. Bush is in charge of overseeing the organization’s execution of its strategic plan.
Dr. Bush began his career at NASA as one of the chief engineers designing the next generation space
transportation vehicles. Later in his career he managed the International Space Station (ISS) Commercial
Development program. His passion for education led to the creation and growth of several national and
international non-profit organizations, including the Space Generation Advisory Council, the American
Astronautical Society, the World Space Congress, International Space University, and the Sea Space
Symposium. Prior to joining Challenger Center, Dr. Bush served as the Chief Strategic Office at Paragon Space
Development Corporation, a space vehicle design and build company. Dr. Bush holds a bachelor’s degree in
aerospace engineering from Penn State University, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Old
Dominion University, and a Ph.D. in technology policy and management from Penn State University.
Vice President – Finance: Paul Eckert – Industry Liaison, FAA Office of Commercial Space
Transportation
Dr. Paul Eckert holds the position of Industry Liaison, and serves as Executive Director of the Commercial
Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC), in the FAA Office of Commercial Space
Transportation. From 2003 through 2011, Dr. Eckert filled a variety of roles within The Boeing Company’s
Space Exploration division. Most recently, as International & Commercial Strategist, he developed strategies to
strengthen global business relationships and explore new commercial markets. He also served as Executive
Coordinator of the Space Investment Summit Coalition, an industry and nonprofit group presenting events
designed to link investors and entrepreneurs, in order to encourage investment in entrepreneurial innovation.
In addition, Dr. Eckert was Chair of the Emerging Space Markets Working Group of the Space Enterprise
Council within TechAmerica, as well as Chair of the Entrepreneurship and Investment Committee within the
International Astronautical Federation. Prior Boeing roles involved space exploration planning, infrastructure
design, Earth observation, space science, government relations, and communications. Before joining the
Boeing team, Dr. Eckert held positions in the Office of Space Commercialization within the U.S. Department of
Commerce; the NASA Office of Legislative Affairs; and the Office of U.S. Senator John Breaux, then a key
member of the Senate Commerce Committee, with jurisdiction over NASA. Dr. Eckert holds a bachelor’s
degree with high honors from Harvard University and a doctoral degree from Michigan State University
Vice President - International: Susan J. Irwin – President of Euroconsult USA, Inc.
Susan Irwin leads the company’s business development efforts in the United States and manages consulting
projects with a variety of clients including satellite manufacturers, operators, service providers and government
entities. From 1985 until she joined Euroconsult in 2010, Ms. Irwin was President of Irwin Communications,
Inc., a consulting and market research firm specializing in satellite communications. For more than 30 years,
Ms. Irwin has been researching and analyzing industry trends and developments in the use of satellites for
voice, data and video applications.
Prior to founding Irwin Communications, Ms. Irwin held a number of key positions in the satellite industry. Her
satellite career began in 1977, when she was a consultant to the Appalachian Regional Commission on a
project that demonstrated the use of satellites for education in rural areas. Then, as a telecommunications
policy analyst with NTIA, she managed a program that provided funding and training for satellite distance
learning in the US and developing countries. Ms. Irwin then joined the start-up team of Private Satellite
Network, Inc., a company that pioneered the use of Ku-band satellites for corporate video, data and voice
networks.
Ms. Irwin is widely published and a frequent speaker at conferences throughout the world. She is also the
Conference Chair of SATCON, a co-founder of the Society of Satellite Professionals International, a Director
Emeritus of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, on the Board of Governors of the Pacific Telecommunications
Council and on the Board of Directors of the American Astronautical Society.
She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Education from San Francisco State University.
Vice President - Public Policy: Edward Goldstein – Senior Writer and Editor, Aerospace
Industries Association
Dr. Goldstein has been with the Aerospace Industries Association since June 2012. He writes speeches,
opinion pieces for AIA’s leadership and also helps edit AIA publications. Prior to joining AIA, Dr. Goldstein was
from 2009 to 2012, Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Senior Manager for Government Relations, supporting
Orbital’s work with its NASA and NOAA customer. From 2002-2009 he was the lead writer at NASA
Headquarters. In this position he wrote speeches, testimony and opinion pieces for NASA’s Administrator and
other senior agency officials. He received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Award in 2003 for the speeches
he wrote for NASA’s leaders in response to the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy. For his support of NASA’s
Future Forums in 2008, he was a recipient of the NASA Group Achievement Award. Dr. Goldstein also was
project manager for NASA’s 50th Anniversary Magazine and for NASA’s participation in the 2008 Smithsonian
Folklife Festival. In support of NASA’s 50th anniversary celebration, he interviewed Presidents George H.W.
Bush and Bill Clinton, Senator John Glenn and Nobel Laureate John Mather. Two years earlier, he conducted
a memorable interview with Venetia Phair Burney, the girl who named Pluto. Dr. Goldstein received his Ph.D.
in Public Administration from the George Washington University in 2007. His dissertation topic was “NASA’s
Earth Science Program: The Bureaucratic Struggles of the Space Agency’s Mission to Planet Earth.” He also
has a Masters of Public Policy Degree from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he was
a John F. Kennedy Fellow, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Colorado College,
where he served on the school’s Board of Trustees from 1998-2002. In 2008 he received Colorado College’s
Lloyd Worner award in recognition of outstanding alumni service to the college. Prior to working at NASA, Dr.
Goldstein was the speechwriter at The Nature Conservancy from 1999-2002 and served as Deputy Associate
Director of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy for the White House Office of Domestic and
Economic Policy from 1990-1993. While serving on the White House staff, Dr. Goldstein was responsible for
the implementation of the White House-Western Governors’ Association project to use innovative technologies
in the cleanup of contaminated federal facilities and sites.
Legal Counsel: Franceska O. Schroeder - Principal in the Washington, D.C. office of Fish &
Richardson P.C.
Ms. Schroeder is completing her nineteenth year as AAS Legal Counsel. In addition, she served as chair of the
AAS International Programs Committee Space Law Workshops, and was chair of the planning committee for
the AAS National Conference and 42nd Annual Meeting. In her capacity as AAS Legal Counsel, Ms.
Schroeder also serves as Private Sector Advisor to the U.S. delegation to the U.N. Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space Legal Subcommittee. As a Principal at Fish & Richardson P.C., she provides advice and
counsel to space-segment manufacturers, satellite and launch operators and users, terrestrial communications
companies and investors in aerospace, defense, communications and high-technology projects. Her work
involves contract drafting and negotiation, risk management, insurance, legislative and policy matters, and
regulatory compliance, including FAA and FCC licensing, export controls and trade and economic sanctions
issues. In 2012, Ms. Schroeder was appointed to the NASA Advisory Council’s Committee on Commercial
Space.
CANDIDATES FOR DIRECTORS 2012-2015
A. William Beckman - Director for NASA Programs in the Boeing D.C. Operations office
Bill Beckman responsibilities include interfacing with Potomac region customer base including NASA,
Congressional/Executive Branch offices, and representing Boeing in local industry groups, including the
National Chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Aerospace Industry Associates –
Space Committee; and the US Chamber of Commerce – Space Enterprise Council.
Prior to this assignment, Bill provided business development support to Space Exploration programs as a
Marketing Manager in Washington D.C. Before his relocation to the DC area, he was a Field Operations
Manager supporting all Boeing efforts at the Kennedy Space Center.
As the Field Marketing Manager for Rocketdyne Power & Propulsion at Stennis Space Center, Bill supported
NASA expansion efforts, and worked closely with the local elected representatives and the Hancock County
Port and Harbor Commission responsible for economic develop in the area. Prior to his field service, Bill was a
Business Development Manger for Rocketdyne Power & Propulsion in Canoga Park, CA supporting the RS-68
engine program and advanced rocket engine programs.
He began his career in 1988 as a Research and Development Engineer with the Advanced Programs group of
the Rocketdyne Division of Rockwell International, and later transitioned in to project engineering and program
management roles.
Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and a
master’s of Business Administration from Loyola University in Chicago.
Vincent C. Boles – General Manager of the Advanced Systems and Technology Division, The
Aerospace Corporation
Mr. Boles earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1977 and a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1976. He is also a graduate of the Brookings Institute
and the Leadership Development Program from the Center for Creative Leadership.
Mr. Boles has 30 years technical and management experience in space systems and technologies,
procurement and acquisition, program and project management, and marketing and business development. He
has keen insight into international, commercial, as well as US Civil and IC/DoD space programs and initiatives.
His expertise spans the areas of Space Technology, Telecommunications, Remote Sensing and Geographic
Information Systems, Navigation, ISR, System Architecture Planning and Development, Technology
Applications, and Risk Evaluation.
Mr. Boles joined The Aerospace Corporation in 1981. In his current position he pursues and evaluates new and
innovative technology for future space systems applications. Mr. Boles provides an integration function for
space technology across intelligence, military, civil and commercial space systems.
For 8 years before joining Aerospace, Mr. Boles held industry engineering and management positions in related
communications and spacecraft development functions at Hughes Aircraft, Western Union Space
Communications, and Bell Laboratories.
Mr. Boles was instrumental in the establishment of Aerospace’s civil, commercial and international business
initiatives. He organized, staffed, and directed this new corporate division. Mr. Boles assisted the development
of corporate policies, goals, strategies, and implementation plans for growth and diversification. He directed
efforts related to: marketing and research, product development and intellectual property, pricing, strategic
alliances and new ventures, export controls, account management and sales, business plans, program and
project management, and, external communications.
Mr. Boles served as corporate representative to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), as well as,
Chairperson of the International Cooperation and Competition Committee of the International Space Plans and
Policies Symposium for the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). During this period, Mr. Boles achieved
significant business growth with NASA, NOAA, European and Asian government and industrial space markets,
and other US territories and civilian agencies.
Mr. Boles is: Board Chairman for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), and Full Member – International
Academy and Astronautics (IAA). Mr. Boles completed a 3 year term as AIAA - Vice-President – International in
May 09.
David King – Executive Vice President at Dynetics, Inc
David Arnold King was the tenth Director of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center located in Huntsville,
Alabama. He was appointed to the position on June 15, 2003. He announced his retirement from NASA on
March 26, 2009. Soon thereafter, King started in the position of Executive Vice President at Dynetics, Inc., a
Huntsville-based defense contractor.
King joined NASA in 1983 as a main propulsion system engineer. In 1983, he served as flow director,
overseeing preflight preparation, test and checkout for the Space Shuttle Discovery. He was appointed acting
deputy director of the Installation Operations Directorate in 1995; deputy director of Shuttle Processing in 1996;
Shuttle launch director in 1997; and director of Shuttle Processing in 1999.
King served as deputy director of the Marshall Space Flight Center from November 2002 until his appointment
as director, and served as the senior on-site NASA official during recovery operations for the Space Shuttle
Columbia disaster.
King has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina, and in 1991 a
master’s degree in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Carol S. Lane – Vice President of Washington Operations, Ball Aerospace & Technologies
Corporation
Carol Lane joined Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. in 2003. She is the senior executive for the company
responsible for strategically directing and integrating the Company’s liaison with Congress, the White House,
defense agencies, civil agencies and other federal offices in the Washington, DC area.
With 25 years of defense and space community experience, Carol’s career includes progressive responsibility
in many market segments including space and ground systems for national security, space transportation
systems, remote sensing missions, space and earth science missions, and commercial space activities. This
experience comprises service with the Federal government, Congress, as well as over 18 years in industry with
Lockheed Martin and TRW (Northrop Grumman), both in the operating plants and the Washington office, prior
to joining Ball. In 1988, President Reagan appointed Carol to serve as the Director of the Office of Commercial
Space Transportation, under the Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Carol is a graduate of George
Washington University.
Kim Luu – Senior Aerospace Engineer, Air Force Research Laboratory
Dr. Kim Luu has been active in aerospace research and development for 16 years and is currently with the Air
Force Research Laboratory’s Maui Space Surveillance Site on Maui, Hawaii. Her career has included work in
diverse areas such as the University Nanosatellite Program, space debris and environmental effects, satellite
characterization from radiometric data, and most recently, networked sensors tasking for space situational
awareness.
She served on the AAS Space Flight Mechanics Committee from 1999 to 2007, including chairing that technical
committee for the last two years of her term.
Ian Pryke – Program Officer (Part time) on the Space Studies Board of the National Research
Council
Ian Pryke retired from the European Space Agency at the end of September 2003. He is currently on the
Space Studies Board of the National Research Council, a Senior Fellow/Assistant Professor at the Center for
Aerospace Policy Research in the School of Public Policy of George Mason University, and also operates as an
independent consultant.
He joined the European Space Research Organisation [later ESA] in 1969 working in the areas of data
processing and satellite communications. In 1976 he transferred to the Agency’s Earth Observation
Programme Office where he was involved in the formulation of ESA’s Remote Sensing programme. In August
1979 he moved to the ESA Washington Office, where he was engaged in liaison work with both government
and industry in the United States and Canada, taking over as Head of the Office in November 1983.
He holds a B.Sc. degree in Physics from the University of London and a M.Sc. Degree in Space Electronics
and Communications from the University of Kent.
Mr. Pryke has previously served on the Board of Directors of the AAS for a number of years. He served two
terms as VP International, one term as VP Public Policy and served as Chairman of the Planning Committee of
the 30th AAS Goddard Memorial Symposium. He has also been involved in the planning committees of a
number of other Goddard symposia and AAS Annual Meetings. He is currently a member of the AAS
International Programs Committee.
He has been involved with the International Space University since its founding. He served as Chairman of the
Board of Directors from September 1988 to September 1990, was created an Associate Founder in April 1995,
and has been a member of the Board of Trustees from May 1997 until the present.
Mr. Pryke is a Fellow of the AAS, a Fellow of the AIAA, a Member of IAA, and a Fellow of the BIS. He is the
recipient of an AAS President’s Recognition Award [1998], the AIAA International Cooperation Award [1999],
the NASA Public Service Medal [2002], and an Aviation Week and Space Technology 2002 Laurels Award.
Chris Shank – Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Representative Lamar Smith
U.S. Representative Lamar Smith represents the 21st district of Texas which includes San Antonio, Austin and
scenic Hill Country. Prior to joining Lamar’s office, Chris was director for business development at Honeywell’s
Aerospace Division, leading a sales team for military, intelligence and civil space pursuits. Prior to industry,
Shank previously was in charge of NASA’s strategic communications, directing legislative and public affairs as
well as the offices of education and communications planning, and he was the director of strategic investments
for NASA, where he was responsible for the formulation of the agency's $17 billion in programs and institutional
budget and advocacy to the White House and Congress. Before that, Shank was the special assistant to NASA
Administrator Michael Griffin, where he led the coordination of NASA’s Exploration Systems Architecture Study
with Congress, the White House, the Pentagon, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining NASA, Shank worked
on Capitol Hill from 2001 to 2005 as a staff member for the House Science Committee, specializing in human
spaceflight and Earth science issues.
Before coming to Capitol Hill, Shank served in the Air Force for 11 years, working at the Pentagon, National
Reconnaissance Office and Air Force Space Command. He earned a master's degree in aerospace
engineering from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the
University of Notre Dame. He also graduated from a summer session of International Space University in
Stockholm, Sweden.
Frank A. Slazer – Vice President, Space Systems, Aerospace Industries Association (AIA)
Frank A. Slazer currently works at AIA, an industry trade organization representing over 90% of America’s
aerospace companies. Before joining AIA in March 2011, he was with Northrop Grumman Corporation since
2009. He began his career as a propulsion engineer on the McDonnell Douglas Delta Launch Vehicle in 1982.
He began working as a business development professional in 1986 and served in a number of leadership roles
supporting the International Space Station and the Delta Launch vehicles at McDonnell Douglas and, following
a merger, at Boeing. In 2001, he was chosen to lead Boeing’s new Space Shuttle Business Development
organization. He transitioned back over to leading civil space business development for Delta launch vehicles in
2003 and continued in this role after the formation of the United Launch Alliance joint venture between Boeing
and Lockheed Martin until February 2008.
In addition to his responsibilities with industry, from 2008 to 2012, Frank served as President of American
Astronautical Society. In addition, while at Boeing, he was the Chairman of the Aerospace Industries
Association Space Council in 2001 and 2002. He was also AAS VP for Finance 1996-1998, Chair of the AAS
Space Station Technical Committee for 1994 & 1995. His education includes both a BS in Aerospace
Engineering and a BA in Political Science from Syracuse University, and an MBA from the University of
California at Irvine.
Marcia S. Smith – President, Space and Technology Policy Group, LLC
The Space and Technology Policy Group, in Arlington, VA, specializes in policy analysis of civil, military and
commercial space programs, and other technology areas. Marcia is also the founder and editor of the website
SpacePolicyOnline.com.
From March 2006-March 2009, Ms. Smith was Director of the Space Studies Board (SSB) at the National
Research Council (NRC), and from January 2007-March 2009 additionally was Director of the NRC’s
Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board (ASEB). The NRC is the operating arm of The National Academies,
comprised of the NRC, the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the
Institute of Medicine. The National Academies is a non-profit organization that provides advice to the nation on
science, engineering and medicine.
Previously, Ms. Smith was a senior level specialist in aerospace and telecommunications policy at the
Congressional Research Service (CRS), Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. CRS provides objective, nonpartisan research and analysis exclusively for the Members and committees of the U.S. Congress. Ms. Smith
specialized in U.S. and foreign military and civilian space activities, as well as telecommunications issues
(including the Internet). She worked at CRS from 1975-2006, except for a one year leave of absence from
1985-1986 while she served as Executive Director of the U.S. National Commission on Space. The
Commission, created by Congress and its members appointed by the President, developed long term (50 year)
goals for the civilian space program under the chairmanship of (the late) former NASA Administrator Thomas
Paine. The Commission published its results in the report Pioneering the Space Frontier (Bantam Books).
Before joining CRS, she worked in the Washington Office of the American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics (then headquartered in New York). A graduate of Syracuse University, Ms. Smith is the author or
co-author of more than 220 reports and articles on space, nuclear energy, and telecommunications and Internet
issues.
Ms. Smith is:
- Fellow, Vice President-Public Policy (2010-present), Past President (1985-1986), and former member of the
Board of Directors and of the Executive Committee of the American Astronautical Society (AAS). Co-chair of
the AAS Fellows Committee (2004), chair of the Nominating Committee (2011). Awarded the AAS “John F.
Kennedy Astronautics Award” in 2006.
- North American Editor for the quarterly journal Space Policy.
- Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Currently member of AIAA’s
International Activities Committee and has served on many other AIAA committees, was an AIAA Distinguished
Lecturer (1983-1988), and a member of the AIAA National Capital Section Council (1994-1996).
- Founder, Emeritus Member, and Past President of Women in Aerospace (WIA). Awarded the WIA Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2003.
- Member, former Vice President, and former member of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of
Space Law (IISL).
- Member and former Trustee of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). Co-chair of IAA’s Space
Activities and Society Committee (1991-1997).
- Life Member of the New York Academy of Sciences, the Washington Academy of Sciences (Board of
Directors, 1988-1989), and Sigma Xi (the honorary scientific research society).