The Space Foundation announced has added a second Vice President to the organization's Washington, D.C. office — Richard B. “Rich” Cooper has been hired for the newly-created position of Vice President – Strategic Communications and Outreach, effective September 28, 2018.
Most recently, Cooper was the Senior Principal Policy Advisor for Homeland Security and Justice at the SAS Institute, Inc. In that role, he provided subject matter expertise, thought leadership, strategic planning and management for national security and public safety functions utilizing data, analytics and related innovative solutions.
Space Foundation's Vice President of Strategic Communications and Outreach, Richard
B. Cooper.
Previously, he was Vice President for Emerging Issues & Research at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Business Liaison Director for Science & Technology and Emergency Preparedness at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Cooper also served as Senior Policy Analyst, Special Assistant to NASA Administrator and Chief of Staff at NASA Headquarters. In that role, he shaped the design, operation and implementation of the Educator Astronaut program. He also directed policy guidance, research, testimony development and planning for NASA's transition efforts, daily operations, congressional engagement, STEM education programs, media outreach and strategic plans for major programs and initiatives, including the Agency’s 9/11 response and the Shuttle Columbia accident.
Cooper earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and religion from Mary Washington College with graduate and executive education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Harvard’s JFK and School of Public Health and the University of Southern California.
Earlier this month, the Space Foundation announced the hiring of Colonel Thomas Dorame, USA (Ret.), as Vice President – Strategic Operations, at the Washington, D.C., office.
Executive Comment
Space Foundation CEO Thomas E. Zelibor said that Rich’s decades of experience and ability to shape messages, communicate complex issues and inform and inspire diverse stakeholders will be a welcome addition to the Space Foundation.