The X PRIZE Foundation has announced the appointment of Diane Murphy as Executive Vice President. An experienced public relations executive, Ms. Murphy will lead all communications, and public affairs efforts for the X PRIZE Foundation, including this October’s Countdown to the X PRIZE CUP in New Mexico. Ms. Murphy has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the X PRIZE Foundation since 2003.

Most recently, Murphy served as Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for EADS North America. Previously, Diane Murphy served as Chairman and CEO of Federal City Communications, a public relations firm specializing in the fields of aerospace, defense, political affairs and entertainment. From 1977-1987, she served as an account executive with Smith & Harroff, Inc, where she worked on more than 30 political and issue management campaigns. Diane Murphy began her career on Capitol Hill as a press secretary to House Minority Leader John J. Rhodes.

“Diane Murphy is expert at promoting high-technology and space-related programs and her political acumen will help us tremendously in Washington,” said Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman and Founder of the X PRIZE Foundation. “She is well-respected in the industry and we are pleased to have her with us.”

Diane Murphy is a graduate of Georgetown University and serves on the Board of the Dashew International Center at UCLA, the World Affairs Council, Washington Space Business Roundtable and Youth Service America.

The X PRIZE Foundation is an educational nonprofit prize institute whose mission is to enable radical breakthroughs in space and technology for the benefit of humanity. On October 4th, 2004, the X PRIZE Foundation captured world headlines when Mojave Aerospace Ventures, led by Burt Rutan and Paul Allen, built and flew the world’s first private spacecraft to the edge of space to win the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE. Because of the dramatic nature of the achievement, the X PRIZE Foundation is now widely recognized as the leading model for fostering innovation through the use of competitions. Based on the success of the Ansari X PRIZE, The Foundation has partnered with the state of Mew Mexico to produce the X PRIZE CUP and assist in the development of the state’s Southwestern Regional Spaceport. Full details can be found at www.xprize.org.

Contact: X PRIZE Foundation
Ian Murphy, 310-587-3355
Mobile: 202-498-7267
press@xprize.org