Space Foundation Announces Promotions and Organizational Changes

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 1, 2013) – A number of organizational changes will take place at the Space Foundation in the coming weeks, including a retirement, promotions and expansion of responsibilities.

Retiring after 27 years with the Space Foundation is President Charles P. “Chuck” Zimkas, Jr. His retirement is effective July 1, 2013. Vice President – Operations Art Ratkewicz will assume many of the duties performed by Zimkas.

Vice President – Marketing & Communications Janet P. Stevens, who has been with the Space Foundation since 2009, will be leaving the organization, effective May 10, 2013.

Kevin C. Cook (pictured) has been named Vice President – Marketing & Communications, effective immediately. Formerly Director – Space Awareness Programs, Cook has led the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame and Space Certification programs. Prior to joining the Space Foundation in 2003, Cook had a distinguished marketing career, leading major public relations, advertising and marketing agencies in Los Angeles, Seattle and Honolulu.

Other promotions and changes in responsibility, effective May 1, 2013, include:

• Carol Hively, from Manager – Communications to Director – Public Relations & Team Communications
• Iain B. Probert from Vice President – Education to Vice President — Education & Discovery, heading education programs and the Space Foundation Discovery Center, open to the public at its world headquarters in Colorado Springs
• Rhonda Truett, from National Sales Manager to Director — Global Sales & Certification.
• Kathleen Vinson, from Vice President – Human Resources to Vice President – Human Resources & Administration

See information about Space Foundation leadership, programs and activities at www.SpaceFoundation.org.

About the Space Foundation
The foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry and an expert in all aspects of space, the Space Foundation is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom and major industry events, including the National Space Symposium, all in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” The Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indexes that track daily U.S. stock market performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification™ and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 and is based in Colorado Springs, Colo. Its world headquarters features a public Visitors Center with two main areas – the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®. The Space Foundation also conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has a field office in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.