Space Florida is pleased to name Allison Odyssey as Vice President of NewSpace Market Development. In this role, Odyssey is responsible for creating, directing, and managing Space Florida’s business partnerships with the NewSpace industry, while leveraging and strengthening a positive business climate for the commercial space markets to grow in Florida. Odyssey has been with Space Florida for seven years, most recently as Senior Program Director.
Today the NewSpace industry is composed of hundreds of small and large businesses and according to industry analysts, is expected to reach 1,000 companies worldwide by 2016. NewSpace is characterized by lean companies that are backed by private investment and use space applications to serve a growing base of commercial customers. By evaluating the business needs of these companies from a technical and financial standpoint, Odyssey is responsible for shaping customized solutions, and providing support and investment in the areas that will have the largest impact and best position them for growth and success.
“The innovative companies of the NewSpace industry are critical to Florida’s future,” said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. “Allison has been immersed in this industry for years and will serve as Space Florida’s primary liaison to NewSpace companies that may have interest in creating and/or expanding their operations in Florida.”
As part of her new position, Odyssey is also leading the development of Space Florida’s new Strategic Plan that focuses the organization’s resources on attracting, enabling, and investing in high growth NewSpace businesses. Odyssey leads a team dedicated to implementing several of the plan’s new Strategic Priorities, including advancing and promoting the suborbital spaceflight sector, marketing Florida as a space tourism destination, pursuing growth in small satellite markets, and continuing to develop Exploration Park as a NewSpace business hub.
Odyssey has 10 years of experience in the commercialization of space with technical and general expertise in project management, business development, aerospace engineering, spaceport operations and regulatory compliance, specializing in commercial human spaceflight and reusable launch vehicles. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
