The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) presented its 2014 Satellite Leadership in Government Award to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), for its work on the implementation of reforms to the U.S. export control system for satellites and space technology.
SIA’s President, Patricia Cooper, and SIA’s 2014 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bill Weller, presented the award yesterday evening at SIA’s 17th Annual Satellite Leadership Dinner at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Eric L. Hirschhorn accepted the award on behalf of the Bureau. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and the Chief Information Officer of the U.S. Department of Defense, Ms. Teresa M. Takai, provided keynote remarks to the industry executives and government officials attending the SIA dinner.
“SIA is pleased to recognize the Bureau of Industry and Security for its stalwart support of and dedication to updating the extensive, detailed regulations for controlling space and satellite exports,” said Patricia Cooper, President of the Satellite Industry Association.
“The success of export control reform reflects the extraordinary contributions not only of my
colleagues at BIS,” said Under Secretary Hirschhorn, “but also of hundreds of people in other agencies, the White House, Congress, and the exporting community. The reform effort exemplifies government at its finest, and BIS is proud to be a part of it.”
“Export reforms will benefit the thousands of space and satellite companies in the United States while also protecting U.S. national security. Progress on this key SIA priority would not have been possible without the resolute efforts of the leadership and staff at BIS,” said Bill Weller, SIA’s 2014 Chairman of the Board of Directors.
SIA’s Satellite Leadership in Government Award is traditionally presented to a government official or member of Congress who has demonstrated long-term leadership and dedication to public service on issues affecting the satellite industry and has served as an example to others in government. The Satellite Leadership in Government Award has been awarded to eleven previous recipients, including Richard Beaird of the State Department (2013), Brian Nilsson of the White House National Security Staff (2012), Rural Utilities Service Administrator Jonathan Adelstein (2011); Major General Ellen Pawlikowski (2010); General James Cartwright and Mr. Richard Russell, Ambassador to the 2007 World Radio Conference (2008); Representative Ellen Tauscher and Maj. Gen. James B. Armor Jr. (2007); Senator Ted Stevens (2006); and Admiral James O. Ellis Jr. and Tom Tycz, Federal Communications Commission (2005).
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security is responsible for
administering the Export Administration Regulations, including the Commerce Control List. As a part of the Administration’s ongoing overall Export Control Reform effort and following the passage of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, BIS is engaged in a major overhaul of the export regulations for satellites and related items. The Administration has issued draft rules that propose to transfer a large number of satellite items from the U.S. Munitions List, administered by the State Department, to the Commerce Control List. Final rules are expected to be issued later in 2014.
About The Satellite Industry Association
SIA is a U.S.-based trade association providing worldwide representation of the leading satellite operators, service providers, manufacturers, launch services providers, and ground equipment suppliers. Since its creation almost twenty years ago, SIA has advocated for the unified voice of the U.S. satellite industry on policy, regulatory, and legislative issues affecting the satellite business. For more information, visit www.sia.org.
