Fri, Jul 15, 2011
Industry Veteran From Orbital Sciences To Head SpaceX
Washington Legislative Team
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announced Wednesday that
former Orbital Sciences executive and industry leader Mark
Bitterman is joining the company’s Washington office as
Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. Bitterman joins SpaceX
after serving in a similar role at Orbital for 19 years.
“Mark brings a wealth of experience to SpaceX that will help
us better meet the needs of our customers,” said Gwynne
Shotwell, SpaceX president. “Mark's leadership will ensure
critical policymakers remain knowledgeable on the ways SpaceX can
lower the cost and improve the reliability of accessing space,
while providing the best value for the taxpayer.”
"I am thrilled about joining the SpaceX team," said Bitterman.
"Over the past few years, I've watched the company establish itself
as a major force in the industry and now look forward to playing a
leadership role as the company enters its next phase. My focus at
SpaceX will be to further strengthen the company's relationships
with Congress during a time of great challenges for the
nation’s civil, commercial and military space programs."
Bitterman spent nearly two decades at Orbital Sciences
Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of launch vehicles,
satellites and missile systems. Hired as director of government
relations in 1992, he rose to senior vice president of government
and external relations in 2000. Prior to his time at Orbital,
Bitterman spent four years at the U.S. Department of Defense as the
Special Assistant for Intelligence, Special Operations, and
Counter-Drug Policy to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Legislative Affairs. Before joining the Pentagon, Mr. Bitterman
spent two years as a foreign military sales specialist with TRW,
Inc., and from 1986 through 1995, he was a U.S. Naval Reserve
officer with the Office of Naval Intelligence.
In addition to his government relations function within Orbital,
Mark has served on numerous boards and advisory groups, including
the International Trade Advisory Committee to the Secretary of
Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative; the Board of Virginia
Commercial Space Flight Authority; the Board of the Virginia
Offshore Wind Development Authority; and the Commercial Space
Transportation Advisory Committee to the Secretary of
Transportation.
Bitterman holds a Bachelor of Science in International Politics
from Rutgers University and a Master of International Affairs from
Columbia University. He also received a certificate in National and
International Security from Harvard University's Kennedy School of
Government Executive Education Program.
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