Draft Agenda
About Our Distinguished Speakers
Mike Betts, Founder, Crosspoint Orbital and Former National Intelligence Manager for Space
BIO
Renard Johnson, Mayor El Paso, Texas
Mayor Renard U. Johnson assumed office on January 6, 2025.
Renard is a homegrown local businessman who deeply cares about our City. He grew up on the northeast side of El Paso and graduated from Andress High School and the University of Texas at El Paso. He was named an Andress outstanding ex and was named as a distinguished alumnus from UTEP.
Although Renard came from humble beginnings, El Paso provided him with the education and opportunity to achieve his dreams. He founded METI Inc., one of El Paso’s fastest-growing and most successful companies; providing systems engineering, information technology, and natural resource management support to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Renard has also received numerous awards to include the Minority Business Enterprise of the Year from the United States Department of Commerce: His business was ranked as the 6th fastest growing company in the U.S. by INC. 500 magazine: and Black Enterprise magazine ranked his company as one of the largest black-owned companies in the nation.
In 2020, he founded El Perro Grande Tequila, a company also headquartered in El Paso, Texas, which has received accolades from Forbes Magazine as one of the best tequilas in the world.
Renard has served his community for many years; having served as a former chairman of the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a former president and chairman of The Texas Lyceum, a past board member of the El Paso Boys & Girls Club, a former Board member of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, and the former chairman of the Board for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, El Paso Branch. He has also served as a board member of the Hospitals at Providence.
Additionally, he has helped recruit incredible leaders to our city, including serving on the search committees to hire the current UTEP President and the current El Paso Community College President.
Most notably and most important, He is a loving father to his two young daughters and a lifelong resident of El Paso, Texas.
Ricardo Samaniego, Judge El Paso County, Texas
Ricardo A. Samaniego was sworn in as the El Paso County Judge on January 1, 2019.
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Judge Samaniego is a proud graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School and went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso, a Master’s Degree in Bilingual Bi-Cultural Education from New Mexico State University, and a Master’s Degree in International Economics and Public Policy from the University of Notre Dame.
Before taking public office, Judge Samaniego worked in various fields in both the private and public sector. His professional background is all-encompassing as he worked as an El Paso County Juvenile Probation Officer, an Interim Director for the El Paso County Housing Authority, Human Resources Director for Rio Grande Workforce Solutions, and as an Operations Director for SERCO of Texas. He was the Vice-President of Human Resources and Organizational Development for 15 years in Denver, Colorado where he oversaw 2000 employees at GCC of America. Judge Samaniego also served as the General Manager of Rio Grande Materials where he reorganized the entire regional business and lowered their operating budget by two million dollars. Judge Samaniego was the Owner-Operator of Creative Organizational Strategies, a consulting business that specializes in executive coaching, training and organizational development. Currently, Judge Samaniego owns three Sport Clips franchises in El Paso, with one of his stores being in the top 5% out of 1,700 U.S. and Canadian Sport Clips stores.
In addition to his extensive experience in business, mental health is a top priority for Judge Samaniego as he was a clinical therapist in El Paso and New Mexico, and served as a liaison between mental health centers, state hospitals and forensic institutions such as Big Spring State Hospital, Rusk Texas State Hospital, and La Tuna New Mexico State Prison.
As an avid reader with a passion for education, Judge Samaniego enjoyed teaching at El Paso Community College and the University of Phoenix where he taught in labor law, human resources development, operations management and international economics. During his tenure at The University of Phoenix he was recognized as the “Instructor of the Year.”
Judge Samaniego takes pride in his family’s roots as they have a long record of public service to El Paso, Texas, the community they all love and call home. He grew up in a large family with 9 other brothers and sisters, and is the proud father of 6 sons and 3 daughters.
Lunch Keynote. TBD
Bio
Panel 1: Regional Opportunities
TBD, Facilitator
BIO
Roberto Ransom, County Development El Paso County, Texas
Roberto Ransom established a keen working knowledge of the Paso del Norte Region through developing, directing, and managing business outreach efforts in recruitment, retention, and expansion for the State of New Mexico's Economic Development Department's Office of Mexican Affairs and Trade. His efforts contributed to the strong economic growth of southern New Mexico's Borderplex region, generating hundreds of jobs and attracting numerous industries by developing close and lasting partnerships with business owners from small, medium, and large companies.
Prior to his work as an economic development official, Roberto served as the Director of the El Paso – Juarez World Trade Center, promoting economic integration and strengthening the relationship between communities within the Paso del Norte Region.
In 2012, Roberto joined The University of Texas at El Paso, where he contributed to its success in different capacities. In his most recent role as Operations Director for UTEP’s Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, Roberto strengthened the institute's engagement at the regional and binational levels in the Paso del Norte Region by working closely with different university departments and federal and state government agencies.
Roberto has played a pivotal role in the recruitment of major multinational corporations, including Meta and other Fortune 500 companies, to establish operations in El Paso, Texas. His strategic efforts in business development and economic policy have contributed to positioning the region as an attractive destination for high-profile investments.
Additionally, Roberto has contributed to publications on trade at both the national and international levels, including analyses such as the Atlantic Council’s report on U.S.-Mexico commerce and border efficiency. His work has provided critical insights into cross-border trade dynamics, economic policy, and opportunities for enhancing trade relationships between the United States and Mexico.
Roberto obtained his B.A. in International Business and Computer Information Systems from The University of Texas at El Paso in 2005.
Karina Brasgalla, Dept Director, Economic & International Development, El Paso, Texas
Born and raised in El Paso, Karina is a graduate of Columbia University and received her Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Institute of Technology. She started her career with the City in Planning and Inspections and is an AICP Certified Planner. She has carried that planning experience into her work on key redevelopment initiatives and programs. Karina joined Economic and International Development in 2021 and was selected as the department Director in January 2025 after a national search. She looks forward to helping grow a strong, sustainable economy for the region.
Panel 2: State and Local Leadership
Mr. Drew Scheberle, Facilitator
28 Years of Effective Leadership in Member-Driven Business Organizations
**Consensus Builder: Created non-traditional grass tops and grass roots coalitions to advance national security innovation, secured $10B in federal & state college financial aid scholarships (Enhanced Pell and TEXAS Grant), effective Austin land use planning, entitlement reform and many others.
**Facilitator of Executive Engagement: 25 years of progressive experience supporting key leaders to include Barbara Jordan, Al Shanker, Eastman Chemical CEO Brian Ferguson, XTO CEO Steve Palko, 50 Chamber Executive Committee Members and hundreds of Austin metro executive volunteers.
**Successful Advocate: Helped form coalitions to earn citizen approval of City of Austin's largest road bond, multiple successful education facilities bonds, Austin's first direct flight to continental Europe, allowance to pre-populate FAFSA from IRS 1040 forms and model legislation to enhance readiness and opportunity for all Texas high school graduates.
**Ground Breaking Initiative Creation and Execution to Solve Complex Problems: Helped create national models for regional direct to college enrollment, community college and K12 progress reports and the nation's first master regional workforce development plan. Initiatives earned recognition from the White House, US Chamber of Commerce, US Department of Education and American Enterprise Institute.
**Economic Development Leadership and Support for Army Futures Command, Samsung Austin, Merck, multiple expansions. Expertise on 313 tax limitation agreement, Texas Enterprise Fund, Moving Image Incentive Fund, Major Event Reimbursement Fund, Skills Development Fund.
**Executive not-for-profit management for Natl Center for State Scholars (staff of 7, reports of 20). Worked with 12 state Chambers of Commerce and dozens of regional Chambers throughout United States. Diverse, multi-lingual direct reports nationally recognized by American Chamber of Commerce Executives and National Skills Coalition.
**Raised $25 million.
**Trusted Public Voice: Led creation of team to build, fund and execute multi-platform media strategy for targeted national vertical trades. Created, led Texas strategy on entitlement reform. Cited by Wall Street Journal, New York Times, NPR and dozens of national, state and regional broadcast and print publications. Formal speeches before hundreds of diverse audiences on "the Austin story", land use, transportation, air service, national security innovation, talent development, education policy, entitlement reform, generational responsibility.
Senator César Blanco Texas District 29
Senator César J. Blanco proudly represents the people of Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, and Reeves counties in the Texas Senate.
César was raised in El Paso, and after high school, he continued his family’s tradition of military service in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso and continued his public service by working for three Members of Congress representing El Paso and West Texas.
César was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2020. Senator Blanco currently serves on the distinguished Senate Committees on Business & Commerce, Health & Human Services; Natural Resources; and Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs. He is also a member of the Sunset Advisory Commission and serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus. Prior to being elected to the Texas Senate, César also served in the Texas House of Representatives for 6 years and was named a Best Legislator by Texas Monthly in his freshman session.
César has delivered for El Paso and West Texas by leading initiatives to strengthen our workforce, economy, and border communities, improving the quality of life, expanding access to healthcare, and increasing economic opportunities in the region.
During the 88th Legislative session, Senator Blanco championed legislation to expand SNAP food assistance for Texas families, increase access to quality healthcare, provide farmers and ranchers financial assistance for property damage, promote environmental protections, and deliver economic relief for working families.
For his work in the 88th Legislative Session, Senator Blanco earned several accolades and recognitions, including the Public Education Champion Award from Raise Your Hand Texas, the 2023 Legislative Equity Champion by Dia De La Mujer Latina, the Hunger Leadership Award from Feeding Texas, the Legislator of the Year recognition from Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP), the Trailblazers Legislative Award from The Family Place, the Distinguished Legislative Service Award from Habitat for Humanity Texas, and the 2023 AARP Texas Legislative Champion Award from AARP to name a few.
Senator Blanco is active in the community as a member of the American Legion, El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the Rio Grande Council of Governments (RCOG), the Medical Center of Americas (MCA), and Secretary of National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund Board of Directors. César lives in El Paso with his wife Lili, his daughter Amelia, and their dogs Lulu and Skipper (Skip).
Representative Dayan "Day" Hochman-Vigil New Mexico District 15
A Santa Fe native, Day grew up surrounded by hard-working New Mexicans. Her father was a doctor, rancher, and small business owner, and her mother managed a restaurant on the Santa Fe Plaza. These early experiences instilled in her a deep respect for public service, equity, and perseverance. She holds a B.A. in political science and the arts, speaks three languages, and has lived and studied in four countries.
Before law school, Day served as a Public Interest Fellow with the ACLU, advocating for free speech and voter rights. She was recognized for her pro bono work and helped secure the release of a wrongfully incarcerated man who had spent 28 years in prison. After earning her law degree from UNM and an advanced degree in Aviation and Space Law from McGill University, she worked in Washington, D.C. as a regulatory attorney, engaging with the FAA, DOT, and NTSB.
Day currently manages her own law firm, DHV Law LLC, and is the only certified aviation and space law attorney in New Mexico. She has served as an American Bar Association National Scholar and was the youngest president of the New Mexico Women’s Bar Association in 2013. Whether in the courtroom or the Roundhouse, Day brings integrity, expertise, and compassion to every challenge, and she’s just getting started.
Representative Claudia Ordaz Texas District 79
Claudia Ordaz represents Texas’s House District 79 in El Paso’s northeast and eastside, which includes the El Paso International Airport and Fort Bliss, the country’s largest installation in the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Texas House Committee for International Relations and Economic Development and member of the Transportation and Resolutions Calendars Committees.
She was first elected to the Texas House in 2020. During her first legislative session she was successful in passing legislation that secured over $500 million to help small businesses for COVID relief. During her second session, she passed the only bill expanding access to prescription contraception, which is of the utmost importance in this post-Roe world. She also passed legislation that will boost support for local businesses, expand economic development incentives to bring jobs to Texas, and improve our workforce programs in El Paso.
She was recently named “Legislative Champion” by the Texas Women’s Healthcare Coalition for her work in expanding healthcare access for women and awarded with the “Humane Hero” distinction by the Texas Humane Legislative Network for her work in advancing animal welfare reform laws. During her first session, she was named “Freshman Legislator” of the year by the Tejano Democrats for her work in fighting for voting rights. She was also recognized with the “Legislative Star” award for her legislation that provides family leave benefits for state employees.
She is the former Mayor Pro Tempore and City Councilwoman for the City of El Paso, where she was a fierce advocate for working parents and family caregivers. She was successful in creating local policies impacting living wages for workers, local park enhancements for children, funding for new infrastructure for municipal police and fire departments, local animal shelter improvements, and promoting investment opportunities to expand job growth in the Borderplex region.
Claudia is a proud graduate of local public schools and the University of Texas at El Paso, where she served as President of the University Democrats. She is a homeowner in El Paso’s eastside and a parishioner at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church. In her spare time she can be found with her two rescue dogs, Jack and Benji, watching Game of Thrones.
Panel 3: The Research Value Proposition
Mr. David Radzanowski, Facilitator
David P. Radzanowski was previously the chief financial officer of The Aerospace Corporation. He was responsible for providing leadership for Aerospace’s financial and business processes, including accounting, finance, corporate planning, contract administration, procurement, treasury, and risk management. He joined Aerospace in June 2020 and retired November 2021.
Prior to joining Aerospace, he was SVP of the Equator Corporation where he led the strategic business functions of Australia’s multi-decade, multibillion-dollar Future Submarine Program, the largest defense procurement program in the country’s history.
Before that, David was CFO at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a position to which he was confirmed by the Senate in 2014. He managed a budget of nearly $20 billion, overseeing financial operations and nearly 800 employees. He retired from the position in 2017, bringing to a close nearly 28 years of federal service.
Before serving as CFO, in 2010 David was appointed chief of staff and principal advisor to NASA administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. Prior to that, he was the deputy associate administrator for program integration for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, where he had oversight responsibility for the directorate’s administrative functions as well as space shuttle transition and retirement activities. He joined NASA in 2006 as assistant associate administrator for the Resources Management and Analysis Office within Space Operations.
Before his term at NASA, David served for eight years in the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in numerous positions, including deputy associate director for appropriations in the Office of Legislative Affairs, and chief of the Science and Space Programs Branch. Prior to joining OMB, he spent eight years as an aerospace policy analyst in the Congressional Research Service on Capitol Hill, authoring more than 30 reports on space issues.
Dr. Shery Welsh, Executive Director of the Aerospace Center, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Dr. Shery Welsh is the Executive Director of the Aerospace
Center at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She
joins the Center after a successful 37-year career as an
engineer, scientist, and executive leading science &
technology and research & development programs for the
Department of Defense (DoD) supporting the Air Force,
Space Force, and Missile Defense Agency. The Aerospace
Center’s vision is to use its research preeminence as an
engine for economic mobility and to transform the Paso del
Norte region. Dr. Welsh plans to combine her extensive
network with federal research agencies with the Center’s
resources to deepen its research portfolio and broaden its impact.
Dr. Sallie Kay Janes, Associate Vice Chancellor, San Jacinto College
Dr. Janes is the Associate Vice Chancellor of Continuing and Professional Development (CPD) at San Jacinto College. In this position, she provides oversight of the Division of Workforce Development and the Division of Community Engagement for the College district. Prior to becoming Associate Vice Chancellor, she served as Dean of Instruction and Academic Dean at San Jacinto College North Campus. Under her leadership, San Jacinto College has established the first maritime program in a community college in Texas. Most recently, she has opened the San Jacinto College EDGE Center at the Houston Spaceport to support the technical skills gap in the growing aerospace industry. She has served on the Port Houston Partners in Maritime Education since 2009 and serves as the vice president of said foundation. She has been a member of the Application Review Committee (ARC) for the Houston Pilots since 2010. Dr. Janes is also the lead contact for Apprenticeships for San Jacinto College. She also serves as the facilitator for the Houston Area Apprenticeship Advisory Committee, a committee established to increase knowledge of and participation in apprenticeships. Dr. Janes served on the Gulf Coast Workforce Board for 10 years. She is the Principal Investigator of a recently awarded $12 M grant from the Department of Labor for Apprenticeships in IT in collaboration with Austin College, Dallas College, and Alamo Colleges. She has also recently received funding from the Department of Commerce – Economic development Agency and the Department of Transportation through TxDOT.
Dr. Janes earned her bachelor and master’s degrees from Louisiana State University and her PHD from Texas A&M.
Dr Sumantra Sengupta, Dean Rio Grande College of Business, Sul Ross State University
Dr. Sengupta transitioned to higher education in 2016 after spending 24 years in the private sector where he held positions such as Vice President and Partner at Capgemini Ernst and Young LLC, Vice President at Hitachi Consulting, and as Senior Executive Advisor with Booz Allen Hamilton. He began his professional career with the Kraft Foods Group. In 2010, he co-founded an advisory and turnaround firm and conducted global restructurings and turnarounds while serving as Group President for a billion-dollar diversified agriculture production and trading company with 2,500 associates and operations in 11 countries. He has consulted for F1000 companies across the globe and has served clients in the U.S., Mexico, Middle East, North and South Africa as well as various parts of Southeast Asia.
Dr. Sengupta has authored multiple books and articles over the years. His latest book, published in 2023, is titled Resilient Value Chains: How Companies Can Win in Uncertain Times. He is a member of the Harvard Business Review advisory council, an opt-in research community of business professionals. He holds a PhD and a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration from the Max. M. Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, and a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from Ohio University.
Panel 4: Regional Opportunities
Mr. John Keefe, Facilitator
John Keefe is a distinguished expert in national security, intelligence, cybersecurity, and space exploration. His career in the federal government included senior executive assignments at the National Security Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Security Council, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence. He has a wealth of knowledge on the U.S. Intelligence Community and its capabilities, global geopolitics, strategic competition, cyber threats, offensive cyber capabilities, U.S. allies and international partners, NASA’s future plans, and the commercialization of space. His expertise is in strategy formulation and implementation.
Mr. Keefe served for 15 years as a senior executive at the National Security Agency, primarily as a senior strategist. He rose to be the Director of NSA’s senior advisor on strategy, and his career included stints as senior strategist in NSA’s signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions, where he drove efforts to field new intelligence capabilities. He also served for two years as Senior Director for Cyber Policy at the White House.
Mr. Keefe most recently served as NASA’s Director of Strategy Integration, where he led efforts to improve alignment between NASA mission directorates and centers, chaired an internal board to coordinate cross-mission directorate activity, and co-led the development of NASA’s strategy for future human activities in low Earth orbit.
Prior to joining the executive branch, Mr. Keefe was a professional staff member for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He started on Capitol Hill as a staffer for the Joint House-Senate Inquiry into the 9/11 attacks. Mr. Keefe began his career as a
research analyst with The Center for Naval Analyses, a federally-funded research and development center. He also served as Special Assistant to the U.S. Ambassador to China.
Jason Noble, Director at NASA White Sands Test Facility
BIO coming soon
Colonel Omar Perea, Space Ecosystem Development, Innovation and Battle Management Command and Control, Space Systems Command
Col Omar A. Perea is Chief of Innovation and Prototyping for Operations Locations, El Paso and College Station, Texas, and the Individual Mobilization Augmentee for the Program Executive Officer for Battle Management Command, Control and Communications, Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. In these roles, he works to establish an operations location conducive to the missions of Space Systems Command, planning for Space Futures Command and directly supports the Program Executive Office. Previously, Col Perea was the Deputy Director of the Warfighting Integration Office, Space Systems Command, at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. As Deputy Director, he worked to establish the new office, its foundational processes, and working relationships between the Combatant Commands and Space Systems Command. Prior to this, Omar was Commander, 19 Space Operations Squadron, Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, where he led a 118-member squadron in operating and modernizing the nation’s Global Position System satellite constellation.
Omar commissioned from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama in 2002. He has served in a variety of operations, planning and training leadership positions within the Air Force, Space Force, and the Reserve. His assignments include Congressional Liaison, Deputy Operations Group Commander, Strategy Plans Deputy Division Chief, Air Operations Center/Joint Space Operations Center Battle Watch Commander, Satellite Operations Instructor, Satellite Vehicle Command and Control Operator, and Satellite Vehicle Engineering Officer
Panel 5: Space Industry
Mr. Scott McLaughlin, Facilitator
Scott A. McLaughlin is a highly experienced engineer and executive with a diverse background in both design and business. He has worked in both the private and government sectors and has traveled around the world installing, maintaining, and marketing specialized wind radar systems. His innovative designs support space launch, test ranges, aviation operations, weather service networks, atmospheric research, pollution studies, and shipboard-based wind measurements. Users include research and defense agencies such as NASA, NOAA, DOE, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, universities, as well as customers in Spain, Taiwan, India, UAE, Thailand, Kuwait, Mexico, Samoa, and Colombia.
Having worked on both sides of the negotiating table, Mr. McLaughlin understands the difficulties and advantages present in both private business and government operations. As a technical innovator, a founder, and an executive of a new business unit, he also appreciates the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurial companies looking for funding while working to “cross the chasm” and to make their mark on the world. In working with and for the federal government at White Sand Missile Range in southern New Mexico, NASA at Johnson Space Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Boulder, Colorado, and now the State of New Mexico, Mr. McLaughlin also embraces the challenge of how best to honor taxpayer funded activities.
After graduating from New Mexico State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, he moved to Texas, then Colorado where he established a radar design and manufacturing business. After being acquired by a similar small company, and a 25-year absence from New Mexico, he returned home to the Land of Enchantment to work and play in the vast and beautiful Chihuahuan Desert and mountains of the southwest. With a life-long love of space and aviation, Scott found a dream job as Director of Business Development at Spaceport America.
Ron Lopez, President Astroscale U.S.
I currently lead Astroscale U.S. as the chief executive, where I’ve been focused on building and scaling our U.S. operations from the ground up since 2019. Under my leadership, we’ve grown into a robust, revenue-generating entity with a dedicated team advancing the on-orbit servicing industry and the sustainable space economy. I manage all business operations of our FOCI-mitigated entity, with responsibility for global GEO satellite servicing and delivering classified and unclassified on-orbit solutions to the U.S. Space Force and other government agencies.
With over 30 years of experience across government and industry, I bring a deep background in systems engineering, program management, technology development, business development, strategy, international operations, and P&L leadership. My military career began as an Intelligence Officer after earning my Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, concluding with a role leading future systems development at Air Force Space Command’s Space Control Division.
In the private sector, I’ve held key technical and business roles at Boeing and Honeywell Aerospace, including managing Phantom Works programs and leading defense sales growth across Asia Pacific. My international business experience spans more than two decades—including many years living in Japan—shaping my global perspective and enabling collaboration with teams in the U.K., France, Japan, and Israel.
I’m a servant leader focused on building cultures of inclusion, innovation, and accountability. I mentor emerging leaders and support high-tech ventures in scaling for success.
In 2022, I was appointed to the U.S. National Space Council’s Users’ Advisory Group by the Office of the Vice President, and in 2023 to the AIA Executive Committee. I remain an advocate for strengthening the U.S. space industrial base and international collaboration through roles with the U.S.-Japan Space Forum, Denver Council on Foreign Relations, the Denver-Munich City2City Partnership, and other advisory boards across academia and industry.
Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by purpose, partnerships, and the opportunity to build for the long term.
Summer Webb, Director, Texas Government Relations Blue Origin
Summer Webb is the Deputy Director of Launch Site One and a Gubernatorial Appointee to the Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee; as well as the representative for rural communities to the Rio Grande Council of Governments. She holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Additionally, Summer serves as the Mayor of Valentine, TX, where she lives on the family ranch with her husband and children.
Space Tech El Paso
Join us at the premier Space-oriented Conference in West Texas. Texas Space Coalition is proud to present the first annual Space Tech El Paso (STEP) 2025! Don't miss out!