Agenda
About Our Distinguished Speakers
Mike Betts, Founder, Crosspoint Orbital and Former National Intelligence Manager for Space
Mr. Mike Betts is the Founder of Crosspoint Orbital, providing technical consulting and strategic advisory services to help industry and government organizations navigate the rapidly evolving space domain. Mr. Betts is the former National Intelligence Manager for Space with more than three decades of analytic, collection, and acquisition experience gained in various leadership assignments in the U.S. Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Throughout his career, he led space mission management activities and held community leadership roles in support of U.S. space security initiatives across four administrations. His involvement in interagency efforts directly increased collaboration between the intelligence and defense space communities, as well as enhanced international, academic, and private sector partnerships on national security space topics. Mr. Betts also led numerous space investment strategy initiatives, to include space workforce development and establishing the Intelligence Community’s first Public-Private Talent Exchange program assignments.
Mr. Betts is a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Portland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, and holds a Master of Science degree in operations research from the Air Force Institute of Technology. In December 2017, Mr. Betts earned a certificate of completion from the Senior Executives in National and International Security Program at the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Casey DeRaad, Founder / CEO NewSpace Nexus
Casey Anglada DeRaad is CEO and Founder of NewSpace Nexus (rebranded from NewSpace New Mexico), a non-profit established to grow the commercial space industry from New Mexico for the nation with a mission to Unite & Ignite Space by accelerating the pace of innovation, creating a bigger voice for the space industry stakeholders, and leveraging the significant R&D investment from federal, state, and local organizations. Casey was a 30-year executive of the Air Force Research Laboratory leading programs in space technology, strategic business development, investment leveraging, technology engagement, and workforce development for Air Force, NASA, and private industry. Casey’s industry leadership and 10x impact from strengthening the space industrial base nationally is featured in the best-seller, The Leader Effect. Casey has promoted opportunities for space industries and STEM students for her entire career. Casey earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico and is a 2023 Distinguished Alumni from UNM Electrical Engineering. She was also selected as 2023 “Bizwomen 100” national listing of women making an impact in their local business communities as well as Albuquerque Business First 2021 Women of Influence honoree.
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.
Panel 1: Regional Opportunities
Mr. Richard Dayoub, Facilitator CEO Thunderbird Management Consulting
Richard E. Dayoub is the founder and principal of Thunderbird Management Consulting, LLC. He began his career in the chamber world in 2003 as the Chief Operating Officer. In 2004, he assumed the position of president and was selected to be the Chamber’s President and CEO in 2007. Since 2004, Richard has served on the Collaborative for Academic Excellence, a nationally recognized partnership headquartered at the University of Texas at El Paso and chaired by its president, Dr. Diana Natalicio. He has also served as board chair for the Child Crisis Center, board member of Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2010, Richard was honored by the El Paso Child Guidance Center as the guest of honor for a fundraiser roast for the community based charitable organization, and was honored as the Fort Bliss Citizen of the Year in 2009, for his work in support of Fort Bliss soldiers and their families. Mr. Dayoub was inducted into the Fort Bliss Hall of Fame in May of 2013. Richard was inducted into the League of Women Voters’ prestigious Life Time Achievement Bravo Award for his contributions in public policy promoting good government and transparency, in October of 2017.
Dayoub is a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management completing his coursework at the University of Arizona in 2009. He served as the Chairman of the Texas Metro Chambers of Commerce, serving in that capacity for two years, in 2010 and 2011. In 2007 and 2008, Richard participated as a Ford Foundation Fellow, a project focused on regionalism and sustainable development in partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. Richard served on the ACCE Board of Directors, as Vice Chair, and was an active member of the Metro Cities Council. Richard is an ACCE Fellow for Education Attainment. He received his Certified Chamber Executive Designation in April of 2014. Richard currently serves as a board member for the Sun Bowl, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger and the Stars Education Foundation.
In his prior career, Dayoub was the president and CEO of a large regional travel company for nearly 30 years. In that capacity, he oversaw the growth and expansion of the company that transformed from a small local operation with 10 employees, to a company with 10 offices in four states and more than 100 employees. In that capacity, his company was recognized as the highest producing retailer in the southwest by every major airline, tour and cruise company in the country. He also served on American Airline’s travel advisory committee for ten years.
Richard attended the University of Texas at El Paso majoring in speech and theatre studies and recently returned to complete his work in Interdisciplinary Studies. Richard is an Air Force veteran, serving two tours in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. He is married to Veronica Villaverde Dayoub, and has four children, Danielle, Damon, Samuel and Emily and three granddaughters, Ariah, Ava and Ryan.
Iliana Holguin Commissioner Precint 3, El Paso County, Texas
Iliana Holguin, is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. She is the principal of Iliana Holguin, Attorney at Law, PC, which is a partner in the Law Offices of Armendariz & Holguin in El Paso, TX. She previously served as the Executive Director of Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services (“DMRS”), the largest provider of free and low-cost legal services to immigrants and refugees and their families in El Paso, West Texas and Southern New Mexico. Under her leadership, DMRS received local and national recognition, including the El Paso Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award, the Bishop of El Paso’s Option for the Poor Award, and the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild Daniel Levy Award. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, and the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas. Mrs. Holguin served several terms on the State Bar of Texas Committee on Laws Relating to Immigration and Nationality, was a member of the U.S./Mexico Border and Immigration Task Force, served as the local American Immigration Lawyers Association liaison to the Executive Office for Immigration Review for over 15 years, and previously served on the national American Immigration Lawyers Association Pro Bono Service Committee and Religious Worker Committee. She was previously a member of the Ethics Review Commission for the City of El Paso and also previously served three terms as the President of the Board of Directors of the Political Asylum Project of Austin (PAPA), one of the largest providers of free and low-cost legal services to low-income immigrants in central Texas. Mrs. Holguin frequently donates her time to speaking on immigration-related issues to the immigrant community, law enforcement officials, and other social service agencies. MrFederal Bar Association, and the El Paso Criminal Law Group. Mrs. Holguin has received various honors for her work, including the Mexican-American Bar Association’s Outstanding Member and Strength-In-Numbers awards, the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award and was
Karina Brasgalla, Department 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.
Ricardo Mora, President and CEO El Paso Chamber of Commerce
I have built a career on launching and managing diverse ventures across real estate, telecommunications, venture capital, and hospitality. Now, as the CEO of the El Paso Chamber, my focus is on strengthening binational relations and helping the Borderplex region grow as a center of innovation and economic development.
With experience in the interconnected economies of El Paso, Las Cruces, and Ciudad Juárez, I understand the unique dynamics of this region. I aim to leverage the Chamber’s platform to foster cross-border collaboration, support economic growth, and position the region as a competitive hub for commerce and industry.
Through my work with Fundación Axcel AC, I’ve been involved in advocating for educational and workforce development and leading fundraising efforts to support these initiatives. I’m committed to building strategic partnerships, engaging with media, and promoting the missions of the organizations I work with. Fluent in both Spanish and English, I’m dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and growth for our community.
Panel 2: State and Local Leadership
Mr. Drew Scheberle, Facilitator Exec Director, National Security Innovation Council
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 Growth 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.
Erin Hernandez, Executive Director Concho Valley Council of Governments
With a strong background in non-profit and grant work, I possess extensive experience and expertise in leading successful projects aimed at making a positive impact on diverse communities. Throughout my career, I have effectively collaborated with various stakeholders to secure grants, manage budgets, and implement innovative programs that address pressing societal needs. Additionally, my strategic vision and exceptional communication skills have allowed me to cultivate meaningful relationships with donors and sponsors, resulting in sustainable partnerships that continuously fuel the organization's mission. My track record demonstrates a keen ability to drive organizational growth through effective resource allocation and meticulous project management. While deeply passionate about non-profit work, I am also open to exploring new opportunities where I can leverage my skills to effect change and contribute positively to society's most pressing challenges.
Sara Harris, Executive Director Midland Development Corporation
BIO soon
Toni Balzano, VP of Strategy & Communications Q Station
Toni Balzano is the Vice President of Strategy and Communications at Q Station, a space innovation hub located in Albuquerque, New Mexico—at the heart of Space Valley. In this role, she leads a dynamic team dedicated to accelerating space and tech innovation into the Air Force Research Laboratory and U.S. Space Force, while cultivating the growth of emerging and established space companies to strengthen America’s space superiority.
With more than 15 years of experience supporting AFRL’s tech engagement and STEM initiatives—previously as co-owner of ImPRonta Public Relations—Toni brings a rare blend of strategic insight, creative execution, and deep-rooted expertise in media, government, and innovation ecosystems. Her career began in television news, where she earned honors from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association and led an Emmy-winning team. She later directed media and corporate relations for Technology Ventures Corporation, a Lockheed Martin affiliate, advancing tech commercialization from national labs.
Toni also served as New Mexico’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary for both the Economic Development and Tourism Departments under two governors, spearheading landmark initiatives such as the completion of Spaceport America and launching the state’s journey into commercial space enterprise.
At Q Station, Toni leverages her decades of experience in media relations, tech transfer, and economic development to forge strategic partnerships and unlock opportunities across the space sector and its adjacent industries—driving innovation, collaboration, and impact at every turn.
Panel 5: Space Industry
Mr. Scott McLaughlin, Facilitator Executive Director, Spaceport America
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.
Shane Cuéllar, Sr Consultant, Logistics Strategy & Integration, LMI
Shane Cuéllar (Qway Yar) brings a wealth of expertise to our panel, having recently concluded his tenure as the J4 Director of Logistics and Engineering at U.S. Space Command. During a distinguished military career spanning over 20 years in the U.S. Army, Shane rose to the rank of Colonel and excelled as a multi-functional logistics officer. His extensive experience includes integrating: warehousing, facility maintenance, transportation, distribution, maintenance operations, and vendor management to support both U.S. and allied military forces worldwide.
Following his departure from the military, Shane transitioned to the private sector, joining LMI as a Senior Logistics Consultant. In this role, he focuses on the convergence of space and logistics within LMI’s Space Market team. LMI is a new breed of digital solutions provider dedicated to accelerating government impact with innovation and speed. Investing in technology and prototypes ahead of need, LMI brings commercial-grade platforms and mission-ready AI to federal agencies. We are excited to welcome Shane's insights and perspectives to our space industry panel.