Space Foundation Announces New Government Relations Directors

Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Oct. 1, 2024 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering education, collaboration and information for the global space ecosystem, today announced two additions to its Government Relations team: Patrick Slaughter as director of government relations national security space and, Mariah Sumner as director of government relations outreach.

In announcing these additions to its Government Relations team, Meghan Allen, senior vice president for Washington Operations, shared, “Space Foundation welcomes the opportunity to share and inform government and policy leaders at every level about the positive impacts that space brings to all of us. From national security and economic opportunity to infrastructure support and workforce development, Space Foundation is uniquely situated to connect the diverse constituencies of the space community with leaders, their staffs, and organizations to promote understanding and the impact that space delivers. Our newest team members, Patrick Slaughter and Mariah Sumner, play important roles in delivering on that mission.”

Patrick Slaughter’s career as an Air Force and Space Force officer spanned more than 20 years, where he led both space operations and professional military education, holding a variety of positions at the squadron, delta, and wing levels. Patrick served as a space weapons officer, instructor, and master space operator with assignments operating numerous Air Force and Space Force satellite and electromagnetic warfare systems. Prior to his retirement in 2022, he was the vice commander for Space Delta 3 at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In his new role with Space Foundation, he will be engaging and collaborating with National Security Space partners concerning space-related issues.

Mariah Sumner’s 20-year career in education has included roles as curriculum specialist and director of improvement science, partnering with districts in the New England region of the U.S. and internationally. Her early career included teaching for American international schools in Argentina, Ghana and Syria. In her role with Space Foundation, she will be engaging and collaborating with congressional members and staff, public policy leaders, and space advocacy groups as well as educating policy makers about space-related issues.

About Space Foundation

Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation unites the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Tags: Space Foundation, government relations, Patrick Slaughter, Mariah Sumner, Meghan Allen, space education, space advocate, space ecosystem, space community, workforce development, national security, Washington D.C.

Media Contacts:

Rich Cooper 
Vice President, Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation
(202) 596-0714
[email protected]

Dottie O’Rourke
TECHMarket Communications
(650) 344-1260  
[email protected]

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