Courtney Stadd

COURTNEY STADD

Bio

AEROSPACE COMMERCIAL LEADER 

40+ years of Washington pathfinder, operational professional experience, in the public and private sectors, to strengthen America’s leadership in the defense/aerospace commercial sector – by successfully achieving revenue, policy and regulatory objectives. Over the decades, in both official and private capacities, invited by various U.S. Congressional committees to testify on a range of high technology related public policy matters. Recently appointed Vice Chair of Board for Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). Recipient of the prestigious NASA Distinguished Service Medal (NASA) in 2001. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

CAPITOL ALLIANCE SOLUTIONS, LLC. Washington, D.C.   1992 - Present

Founder and President, Aerospace Industries (Commercial Space) 

Capitol Alliance Solutions is a management consulting firm with a broad range of public and public sector clients in aerospace and high technology. Develops and executes solutions for clients to capture greater market share in both the federal and private sector markets. Clients included Trimble Navigation (a pioneering GPS company), Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Motorola Corporation and academic institutions such as Auburn University and Penn State. 

Current and former projects include: 

Advisor for Laser Light Communications (2014 - Present)

On a mission to be first All-Optical Satellite Service provider of telecommunications solutions serving the high bandwidth data and next-generation service needs of carriers, enterprises and government agencies around the world, based entirely on optical wave technology. Formed sister company, CommStar, world’s first commercial deep space telecom network.

Program Manager for The Center For Innovation, Testing & Evaluation (2014 - Present)

The vision for CITE is a full-scale, fully operational model city called the “City Lab”, the first of its kind in scale and scope, fully integrated test, evaluation and certification facility dedicated to enabling and facilitating the commercialization of new and emerging IOT, smart city-related technologies. 

Business Development Consultant, Washington Operations for TIP Technologies, Inc. (2015 - Present) A pioneer in quality assurance software used by the leading defense/aerospace companies. Manages contract engagement with new TIP customer, Robotics Research. Greatly enhances TIP’s policy and regulatory footprint in Federal Government and supports marketing efforts to penetrate commercial space markets. 

Business Development Consultant, Opifex Global (2019 - Present)

Opifex Global is making space accessible and affordable to the private industry. Provides neutral-buoyancy training tanks, spacesuits, and curriculum for a fraction of the traditional government costs. Opifex utilizes the same quality materials, equipment, and standards that people have come to expect from a space program. The only difference is Opifex focuses on the commercial/private sectors. 

Director, Government Affairs and Business Development for Vector (2016 - 2019)

Direct report to CEO, responsible for managing federal and state, and supporting international, policy and regulatory matters. Supported the business development team’s pursuit of private and public sector business development opportunities.  Played critical role in securing company’s first revenue from Federal contracts. Vector laid off all employees in August 2019. Bankruptcy/restructuring has led to reestablishment of follow-on company.

Senior Advisor for Renaissance Strategic Advisors, LLC (2014 - 2017)

A leading multidisciplinary consulting practice supporting major firms in global defense, space, government services, homeland security and commercial aerospace markets.  

Management Advisor for Catalyst Partners, LLC (2014 - 2017)

Specializes in helping small businesses, major trade associations, not-for-profits and Fortune 500 companies achieve results inside the Beltway and beyond. Focused on diversifying the firm’s aerospace-related practice. 

Assistant Executive Producer for a special PBS television program (Shown on PBS in February 2013)

Assisted in the production of “Space Shuttle Columbia: Mission of Hope”, a PBS television program, which was produced under the auspices of Tom Hanks’ Playtone and Herzog Productions.

PREVIOUS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

TERRESTAR CORP., Washington, D.C. 2005 - 2008

Executive Vice President

Intended to be North America’s first 4G mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network, raised $1.2 billion of capital. Company was reorganized and sold to Dish Network.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA), Washington, D.C. April - June 2005

Senior Advisor, NASA Administrator

At the invitation of Administrator Michael D. Griffin, served in advisory capacity to help design a new career technical position, Associate Administrator, a senior-level position in the Office of the Administrator.                                                

BIGELOW AEROSPACE, Washington, D.C.  2003 - 2005

Special Advisor to CEO/Founder, Bob Bigelow 

Built and deployed two privately funded robotic earth orbiting stations as well as successfully launched large, test-bed expandable habitat, BEAM to the International Space Station (April 2016).

NATIONAL AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA), Washington, D.C. 2001- 2003

Chief of Staff and White House Liaison                         

Assumed this position after being named to head the Presidential transition team in December 2000 to oversee leadership changes at NASA. Chief responsibility was developing and executing turn-around plans, budgets and staffing for dealing with major financial and management challenges facing the high-profile $17 billion research and development agency. Deputy was Scott Pace, Executive Secretary, White House National Space Council. 

EARTH WATCH INC., Washington, D.C. 1994 -1996

Manager, Washington D.C. Office                                                                                                                                             

Served as a senior corporate executive for one of the fastest growing high resolution commercial satellite firms in the world. Earth Watch later became DigitalGlobal and was subsequently acquired by Maxar Technologies.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA), Washington, D.C. 1992 - 1993

Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Advanced Concepts & Technology & Special Assistant to Administrator

Responsible for $450 million budget for technology and commercial activities. Oversaw agency's investments in innovative spacecraft and communications technologies. Supervised staff of 100, plus extensive contractor base.

WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SPACE COUNCIL, Washington, D.C. 1989 - 1992          

Senior Director, Commercial Space    

Within the Office of the President, responsible for all interagency commercial space policy activities. Founded and chaired senior level interagency Commercial Space Working Group, which drafted and coordinated execution of Presidential space policy directives that directly contributed to emergence of multi-billion-dollar remote sensing, launch, GPS-related industries and private-public partnerships with the civil and military aerospace sectors. Led the interagency creation of the Commercial Space Policy Guidelines which have been reaffirmed by all subsequent Administrations. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, Washington, D.C. 1986 - 1988

Director, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Office of the Secretary                                                       

Appointed by the Secretary to create regulatory office to implement legislation establishing multi-billion-dollar commercial launch industry. Managed staff of 30+, including legal and engineering talent, as well as numerous technical support contractors. Issued first licenses for commercial space launch industry. Pioneered new regulatory tools for managing risk and indemnification which facilitated significant new private investments and commercial risk insurance. Today, as part of the FAA, it is the lead licensing authority for all commercial launch and space ventures. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Washington, D.C. 1984 - 1986

Special Assistant for Aerospace, Office of the Secretary   

Coordinated intra-departmental staff involved with formulating Department's commercial aerospace policy initiatives. Developed and executed strategy that led to Presidential and Congressional policies establishing government market for commercial launch industry. Helped charter the Office of Space Commerce whose Director reports to the Office of the Secretary. This office played key policy role in supporting successful establishment of high-resolution commercial imagery industry and today has been assigned lead role of space traffic management. 

STARSTRUCK INC., Washington, D.C. 1981 - 1984

Director, Washington D.C. Office                                                                                                                                        

Led the DC operations for James Bennet and Phi Salin, co-founders of pioneering privately funded hybrid rocket venture. Oversaw efforts to obtain one of the first approvals for commercial launch operations in the US, as well as helped draft landmark legislation, Commercial Space Launch Act of 1984.  The company later became the American Rocket Company. 

MERIDIAN INTERNATIONAL CENTER, Washington, D.C. 1980 - 1981                                                                                                                 

Special Assistant to President                  

Led the operations for the nonpartisan, nonprofit diplomacy center that connects leaders through culture and collaboration to drive solutions for global challenges. Founded the World Affairs Council under auspices of Meridian House International. 

NATIONAL SPACE SOCIETY, Washington, D.C. 1977 - 1980

General Manager 

Managed the operations of the, nonpartisan, educational, grassroots, non-profit institution co- founded by space pioneer, Wernher Von Braun. Entering its fourth decade in operations educating the public on space exploration. Formerly the National Space Institute. 

EDUCATION 

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY – SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE 

Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS), International Organizations Class of 1977

Co-Founder/Vice President, Institute for the Social Science Study and Managing Editor of the “Space Humanization Review”, a multidisciplinary approach to assessing tactical and social issues of space development 1975 - 1977

Co-lecturer, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, “Science, Technology, and Foreign Policy” 1989 - 1991

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS 

Present: 

  • Aerospace Industries Association, Vice Chair, Civil Space Committee 2020 - Present

  • Hines Family Foundation, Advisor 2020 - Present

  • Washington Space Business Roundtable, Board Member and Chair, Programs 2019 - Present

  • World Space Week (UN Sanctioned NGO), Advisory Member and Former Chair, US (2005 - 2007) 2005 - Present

  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Senior Associate 1992 - Present

  • NASA Alumni League, Member

  • National Space Society, Member

  • The Planetary Society, Member

Past: 

  • Industry Trade Advisory Committee, Aerospace (Appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans) 2004 - 2008

  • Global Protocol, Inc. (Sold to investment group ’07), Board Member 2004 - 2007

  • Space Florida (Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush), Board Member 2006 - 2007

  • Cosmos Club, Member 2005 - 2008

  • Global Science and Technology Corporation, Advisory Board Member 2003 - 2008

  • CapsforKids, Advisory Committee Member, Board Member 2003 - 2005

  • Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation (Appointed by Governor), Board Member 1994 - 2000

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Space Education Pioneer Award (World Space Week Association) 2008

  • Leadership Award (World Space Week Association) 2006

  • Pioneer of NewSpace Award (Space Frontier Foundation) 2006

  • Certificate of Honor (Space Frontier Foundation) 2002

  • NASA Distinguished Service Medal (NASA) 2001