Corporate Membership


Dinner Celebrates Corporate Partnerships

Written by: developer

The Corporate Partnership Dinner, co-sponsored by Northrop Grumman, kicked off with evidence of the excitement percolating throughout the space industry. The year-in-review video set the stage for lively dinner conversation.

Master of Ceremonies Political Satirist, Journalist and Author P.J. O’Rourke, speaking in his first official appearance as a member of the Space Foundation Board of Directors, and Corporate Host Gary W. Ervin, corporate vice president, Northrop Grumman, and president, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, shared the stage with key messages about the benefits of space and the need to build a strong workforce for tomorrow. Ervin is pictured left.

Ervin, citing the Kepler mission’s recent planetary discoveries as a highlight of work being done in space, spoke about the importance of encouraging and preparing young people for careers in the space industry. He said that now is a time for “young blood to make a big impact” in the industry – and the world.

O’Rourke (pictured, left) entertained the audience with an insightful and humorous look at space policy and space politics, driving home a serious message about the benefits of space to science, medicine, industry, educational inspiration and national pride.

A high point of the evening was Space Foundation Chief Executive Officer Elliot Pulham’s announcement of a $375,000 grant from Northrop Grumman to build the Northrop Grumman Science Center at the Space Foundation’s world headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo. See the announcement here.

The annual dinner celebrates the relationship between the Space Foundation and our many Corporate Members and partners.

This article is part of Space Watch: May 2012 (Volume: 11, Issue: 5).


Posted in Corporate Membership