Co-Sponsored by DBS, Pepperdine Alumni Association and
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
With the nation's second-largest aerospace economy, Colorado offers aerospace companies one of the country's most educated work forces and a dynamic atmosphere for business growth. Eight top aerospace contractors have significant operations in Colorado and more than 400 space-related companies call the state home, developing products from launch vehicles and satellites to command and control software, sensors, and navigation equipment. The industry currently represents over 160,000 highly skilled jobs in Colorado. Additionally, construction plans for a local commercial spaceport and a space center of excellence were recently announced. Join five industry experts to discuss the potential impact of the commercialization of space in Colorado.
$30 before April 30th, $35 thereafter
Wings Over the Rockies
Air & Space Museum
7711 East Academy Boulevard
Denver, CO 80230 (map)
The industry experts:
• Dr. Andrew Aldrin, United Launch Alliance
• Scott Brown, Former executive Spaceport America
• N. Wayne Hale, Director Human Spaceflight at Special Aerospace Services
• Dennis Heap, Executive Director Front Range Airport
• Edgar Johansson, Chairman of the Board for the Colorado Space Business Roundtable
The questions:
• How will a commercial space business in Colorado affect you and your company?
• When will development begin?
• What will the price of an orbital or suborbital spaceflight be once it becomes a competitive commercial industry?
• Will accidents threaten the industry’s survival?
• Why is Colorado a better space port location than New Mexico?
• What are the "killer apps" for commercial spaceflight beyond the resupply of space stations and tourism?
Panelist bios:
Andrew Aldrin - Master of Ceremony
Director, Business Development at United Launch Alliance
Dr. Andrew Aldrin is the director of Business Development and Advanced Programs for United Launch Alliance (ULA). Before that, Dr. Aldrin served in various positions in Business Development and Strategy at the Boeing Company, including vice president and director of Boeing Launch Services and director of Business Development for Boeing NASA Systems. Andrew is the son of Buzz Aldrin, the astronaut who in 1969 was the second man to walk on the moon.
Dr. Aldrin’s previous career included leading U.S. policy research institutes, including the RAND Corporation and the Institute for Defense Analyses. He is currently a member of the adjunct faculty at International Space University and has also served as an adjunct professor at California State University at Long Beach and the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
He holds a PhD. in political science from the University of California at Los Angeles, writing his dissertation on the creation of the Soviet space program, a Masters of Business Administration from Trium, a Master’s degree in science, technology and public policy from George Washington University, and a Bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from University of California at Santa Barbara.
Dr. Aldrin is a Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics and has written on a range of issues related to international security and space exploration.
Scott Brown - Speaker
Former Executive, Spaceport America
Scott Brown recently moved to Boulder after spending nearly two years building and developing in and near Spaceport America in New Mexico. Brown was recruited by Spaceport Director Steve Landeene to head up off-site development which included a high end resort hotel for astronauts and their families, a technology and industrial park and the futuristic, completely off the grid and sustainable: Spaceport City including astronaut training facilities and summer camp for children.
Prior to Spaceport America, Brown was one of the community leaders of Telluride, Colorado where he was well known for his community service in the planning, zoning and development of the ski resort and the region, including the Telluride Airport development which is the highest commercially served airport in the United States.
Brown is a founder of the following renowned cultural icons/ events in Colorado:
o Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Film Festival
o Mountainfilm Festival
o Telluride Tech Festival which honors science, technology and innovation leaders in recognition of the work of Telluride's own, L.L. Nunn who joined forces with Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse to build the world's first Alternating Current Hydro Power Plant in Telluride in 1891.
N.Wayne Hale - Speaker
Director, Human Spaceflight at Special Aerospace Services
Mr. Hale is currently the Director of Human Spaceflight for Special Aerospace Services, LLC of Boulder, Colorado. He consults with a number of high tech firms on safety, management, and corporate culture issues as well as performing specialized technical studies.
Mr. Hale retired from NASA on July 31, 2010 as the Deputy Associate Administrator of Strategic Partnerships, Space Operations Mission Directorate. Mr. Hale has previously served as the Space Shuttle Program Manager and the Shuttle Launch Integration Manager. He was a Space Shuttle Flight Director for 40 Space Shuttle flights, and prior to that a Propulsion Officer for 10 early Space Shuttle flights.
Mr. Hale has received special honors and awards such as: Purdue University Distinguished Engineering Alumnus 2011, Purdue University Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Alumnus 2009, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals in 1999, 2005, and 2007; NASA Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award 2002; NASA Exceptional Service Medal 1992; National Space Club Goddard Memorial Astronautics Engineer of the Year 2007; and National Air and Space Smithsonian Achievement Award of the Year 2007.
Mr. Hale holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.
Dennis Heap - Speaker
Executive Director Front Range Airport
Dennis Heap began his career in 1971 with Rocky Mountain Airways, a Colorado airline that created market dominance by using leading-edge technology. He was the only officer that stayed with the company when it was sold to Texas Air and become the Western Region of Continental Express in 1990. His responsibilities included scheduling, pricing, marketing and stations operations. In 1994 Dennis joined the Front Range Airport with the goal of developing infrastructure necessary for large scope projects. He received a B.S. in Aerospace Technology from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1970, earning his Commercial Pilot License, instrument and multi-engine ratings.
Organizations:
o Member, Metro Denver Aviation Coalition
o Member, Colorado Space Coalition
o Board of Directors, Adams County Economic Development
o Past Member of the Colorado Aeronautical Board
o Past President, Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA)
Edgar Johansson - Speaker
Chairman of the Board for the Colorado Space Business Roundtable
Edgar is the current Chairman of the Board for the Colorado Space Business Roundtable (CSBR) and sits on the board of the Colorado Space Coalition as well as the Mile High Chapter of NDIA. Edgar works for Red Canyon Engineering & Software as the Director of Business Development in this capacity he is responsible for the development of new business for Red Canyon in Colorado and across the nation. He is also the founder of Johansson & Associates LLC which supplies services that fills two specific needs on contract, business development as well as state and federal relations.
From 2004 through 2008 Edgar had an appointment as a Professional Research Assistant for the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Edgar’s responsibilities at LASP included Risk Manager on the TIM instrument for NASA Mission Glory as well as Risk Manager for TSIS on NPOESS.
Prior to Edgar’s experience at LASP he spent four years as the Director-Asia for the State of Colorado organizing eleven trade missions to the Far East representing over eighty Colorado companies that covering nine different Asian markets. During the same four years Edgar was also the Space Liaison to the Office of Economic Development & International Trade, the Governor’s Office, & the Office of Innovation & Technology. Edgar assumed these additional responsibilities in April of 2001 and implemented many new and dynamic programs that have added to the strength of Colorado’s economy and Colorado’s status in the global space and aerospace market.
Edgar is a graduate of the “Leadership Program of the Rockies” as well as the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder’s “50 for Colorado” program. Edgar was the recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Colorado, Denver where he holds a degree in Communication (focus on international business and Asian studies). Edgar has studied the Japanese language, culture and history in the United States at Metro State College, the University of Colorado and at the Japan Center for Michigan University in Hikone, Japan.