HOUSTON – The Coalition for Space Exploration’s Public Affairs Team today officially announced its leadership for 2009. Dean Acosta of The Boeing Company and Joan Underwood of Lockheed Martin Corp. have been named the organization’s new chairman and deputy chairperson, respectively. Both will serve a one-year term, effective January through December 2009.
The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups who collaborate 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.
Acosta will lead the Public Affairs Team, which conducts the organization’s marketing, communications and public outreach efforts. In this capacity, he will coordinate with the organization’s Government Affairs Team to support its work as well.
Acosta is the director of communication for Boeing Space Exploration, supporting NASA’s Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Ares programs. In this role, he is responsible for setting the internal and external communication strategy and guiding the marketing and outreach efforts. Prior to Boeing, Acosta served as a managing director at Qorvis Communications, a D.C.-based public relations/communications firm, and as chief spokesperson, press secretary and deputy assistant administrator for public affairs at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
“Having served on both the NASA and industry sides, Dean brings a thorough understanding of the needs and challenges associated with advocating for a robust space exploration program to this leadership role,” said Mary Engola, the organization’s outgoing chairwoman.
Joan Underwood of Lockheed Martin will serve the Public Affairs Team in a supporting role to Acosta to facilitate activities and outreach throughout the year. She served in this same capacity for 2007. Underwood is senior manager of communications for the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, where she is responsible for strategic, external and internal communications for the company’s Human Space Flight and Advanced Space Programs line of business, as well as site communications support for the company. Previously, she served six years as a legislative staff member in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Underwood is a charter member of the Coalition.
“Since Joan has previously served in a leadership role, she already has a strong working knowledge of our organization’s goals and objectives,” said Engola. “She’s also an asset in the media relations arena, having solid relationships and ideas to promote the importance and benefits of space exploration.”
In 2008, the Coalition coordinated several grassroots events across the country targeting a variety of audiences from Congressional leaders on the Hill to youth at the X Games in Los Angeles. The organization uses a variety of marketing communications tools – public relations, advertising, online media and op-eds – to disseminate messages about the importance of space exploration. The Coalition has also sponsored a series of Gallup public opinion polls, which have shown strong support for America’s investment in space.
“This next year is going to be critical for our space exploration program,” said Acosta. “With the change in administration and the impending human spaceflight gap, our organization’s efforts must be focused on getting NASA the additional funding it needs to fulfill its responsibilities.”
About the Coalition for Space Exploration:
The Coalition for Space Exploration is a group of space industry businesses and advocacy groups who collaborate 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.
