HOUSTON – Two veteran aerospace communicators will lead the Coalition for Space Exploration’s Public Affairs Team in 2010. Aerojet’s Glenn Mahone and Jacobs Technology’s Jeannie Kranz were recently named the organization’s new chair and deputy chair, respectively. Each will serve a one-year term, effective January through December 2010.
The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups that collaborates to educate and inform the public on the value and benefits of space exploration and to help ensure the United States remains a leader in space, science and technology. The Public Affairs Team conducts the Coalition’s marketing, communications and public outreach efforts, and works in concert with the Government Affairs Team.
Mahone’s extensive government, business and communications career spans more than 30 years. As executive director of strategic communications for Aerojet, he oversees strategic and corporate communications, as well as community outreach and crisis communications. Noted career highlights include being appointed as NASA’s assistant administrator for public affairs and press secretary; NASA’s acting chief of strategic communications; and serving in three presidential administrations while working at NASA, the Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
“A seasoned communicator with a rich government background, Glenn is fully engaged in what’s happening in Washington,” said outgoing Coalition Chair Dean Acosta of The Boeing Company. “With the President unveiling a new space policy in 2010, Glenn is the right person to lead the Coalition at this time.”
Kranz works as director of strategic relations at Jacobs Technology, managing business development, marketing, and government and external relations related to the company’s 10 NASA contracts and other space-related business. Prior to Jacobs, she spent 10 years at United Space Alliance as its external communications & advocacy manager. Her aerospace career spans more than 20 years.
“A passionate space advocate, Jeannie has been involved with the Coalition since its inception,” said Acosta. “Her government experience and strong working knowledge of our organization make her a vital link in the leadership of the Public Affairs Team. She and Glenn will work quite well together.”
Mahone and Kranz replace Acosta and Deputy Chair Joan Underwood of Lockheed Martin Corp. Under Acosta and Underwood’s leadership in 2009, the Coalition embarked upon many successful initiatives to raise public awareness about the value of space exploration. Highlights include national and international media placements, an online PSA campaign, ongoing Webcasts with Spaceflight Now tied to major space milestones, and continued independent polling of Americans.
Year-to-date, the Coalition’s public outreach efforts have garnered more than 31 million media impressions. The exposure has significantly boosted the Coalition’s following on major social network platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, as well as increased regular Coalition Web site traffic by 140 percent since fall 2008. Most notably, continued Coalition polling and research finds that Americans still strongly support an investment in space exploration.
“This next year brings with it change, holding both opportunity and challenge as a new national space policy is defined,” said Mahone. “Our efforts in 2010 will be targeted to shaping the discussion on the future of America’s space program and aligning it with issues important to the nation and Administration, specifically in the fields of energy, education, national security and the environment.”
About the Coalition for Space Exploration
The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups that collaborates to educate and inform the public and Congress on the value and benefits of space exploration and to help ensure the United States remains a leader in space, science and technology – key factors that benefit every American, strengthen our nation’s economy and maintain our national security.
