The Spaceport Authority Board of Directors named Christine Anderson as executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority.
Anderson has served for 30 years in civilian positions with the U.S. Air Force, including several years at New Mexico’s Kirtland Air Force Base.
Before retiring from the Air Force, Anderson was a member of the Senior Executive Service, the civilian equivalent of the military rank of general. Anderson was the founding director of the Space Vehicles Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base.“I am pleased that the Spaceport Authority Board of Directors has chosen an exceptionally qualified individual to oversee operations at the spaceport,” Gov. Susana Martinez said in the announcement of Anderson’s appointment. “With proper management and the right approach, the Spaceport project has the potential to create jobs, spur economic development and make New Mexico a leader in space travel. My administration is committed to working closely with Ms. Anderson and the board of directors to attract private investment and see the project through to its full potential.”
She also served as the director of the Space Technology Directorate at the Air Force Phillips Laboratory at Kirtland, and as the director of the Military Satellite Communications Joint Program Office at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles where she directed the development, acquisition and execution of a $50 billion portfolio.
Anderson also is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Maryland, and completed the National Security Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins University and the senior management in government program at Harvard University.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead a project that has such a high potential for success,” Anderson said.
Anderson filled a vacancy left by the forced resignation of Rick Homans after Martinez took office. The New Mexico Spaceport Authority board also has been reformed by Martinez and Monday’s confirmation of Anderson was its first action. The first full and public meeting of the new NMSA Board of Directors starts at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the Regents Room at New Mexico State University’s Educational Services Center, west of the Pan American Center.
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