October 2nd, 2024
How Does Colorado Fit into the Broader Space Economy?
DCFR Global Speaker Series Hosted by the Young Professionals Committee
Speakers:
James Crocker – Ret. Lockheed Martin
Robert Beletic – OEDIT
Col. Raj Agrawal – Space Command (Thank you to Lt Col Brian P Moore for being willing to step in!)
Master of Ceremonies:
Larisa Breton – Ampyx Cyber
Date: October 2nd, 2024
Time: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: CSU Spur – Hydro Lobby and Confluence Theater
Address for GPS: 4777 National Western Drive, Denver, CO 80216
We are very excited to announce our distinguished speakers, who will discuss various aspects of Colorado’s future in space policy.
James Crocker is the retired Vice President and General Manager for Lockheed Martin. Over a career spanning 45 years, he has led some of the world’s most exciting and important projects in astronomy, astrophysics, and space exploration.
As Vice President and General Manager of the Civil Space, Lockheed Martin, he led missions increasing our knowledge of the universe and expanding human presence in space. Before joining Lockheed Martin in 2002 he led the architecture development and the successful capture of a significant portion of the James Webb Space Telescope for Ball Aerospace and Technologies.
Throughout his career, he oversaw the development of six environmental weather satellites; led missions to Mars, Jupiter, our moon, an asteroid, and a comet; and in 2014, the first launch of the Orion spacecraft that will take humans into deep space. Our knowledge of the universe was expanded with his leadership of the Spitzer Space Telescope and the in-orbit repair of the iconic Hubble Space Telescope.
Robert Beletic is the Aerospace and Defense Industry Manager at the OEDIT – Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. OEDIT works with statewide partners to create a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth.
Former Air Force General with over 20 years of senior executive experience in all aspects of strategy, operations, and financial management in organizations ranging in size from 500 to 17,000 personnel. Notable positions held: Strategist for UAE Ministry of Defense, Director of Operations (COO) of the Canadian Air Force, Commander (CEO) of an USAF Fighter Wing, VP Strategy for Bradley Mortgage, Chair of 3 Think Tanks, and President of Safety/Accident Investigation Boards.
BS in Aeronautical Engineering and master’s degrees in Finance, Aeronautical Science, and Public Administration. Experience ranges from commanding combat flying units to advocating aerospace requirements to Congress to leading the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman’s Think Tank in formulating national strategy.
Col. Raj Agrawal is currently assigned as the Commander, Space Delta 2-Space Domain Awareness, Space Operations Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. DEL 2 is responsible for generating, presenting, sustaining, and improving combat space domain awareness forces who identify, characterize, and exploit opportunities to secure our Nation’s interests in, from, and to space. DEL 2 is headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, with mission personnel and functions spread across Vandenberg Space Force Base, California; Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; Maui Space Surveillance Complex, Hawaii; and Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Virginia, in addition to multiple supporting locations around the world including Australia, Diego Garcia, and the Marshall Islands.
Col. Agrawal commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School in 2001 after serving as a Texas schoolteacher for eight years. His career includes assignments as a space operations leader in mission areas including space battle management, offensive space control, offensive cyber operations, strategic and theater missile defense, covert unmanned aerial systems and special technical operations.
Prior to his current assignment, Col. Agrawal served as the Chief of Future Operations, Headquarters Space Forces Component, U.S. Space Command. He has also served as the commander for the 20th Space Control Squadron, the chief of Space Control Division for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration, and the Chief of International Affairs Space Division in the Office of the Chief of Space Operations.
Master of Ceremonies
Larisa Breton is the Senior Cyber Security Consultant and DOD Projects Lead with Ampyx Cyber. She is nationally recognized as a subject matter expert on the DoD’s CMMC regulations, and has pioneered policy as well as education on these regulations for the defense industrial base.
Ms Breton was Deputy Program Manager for a congressionally mandated DoD-wide cyber security harmonization project for control systems. She supported the office of the Principal Cyber Security Advisor to the Chief Executive within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) for Policy.
She is a consultant to the NIST MEP California Manufacturing Technology Consortium and participates in several working groups throughout the defense and energy sectors.
Description of Event
Space exploration and policy have ramped up in the last few decades, and Colorado is poised to be at the center of the advancement. This forum seeks to provide a unique and accessible discussion for new and established space organizations, those interested in space policy, and young professionals. There will be two aspects: an expo for organizations to discuss their work and a forum with incisive speakers on space governance, commercial startups, and Colorado’s space policy.
The Future of Space Policy Forum & Expo is DCFR’s first annual space policy event. It is open to anyone who wants to learn more about space policy or the organizations advancing space capabilities. All proceeds will go to DCFR’s young professionals, high school leadership, and volunteer programs. Heavy appetizers and drinks will be offered.
Agenda of Event
4:30-6 pm ~ Expo Area Open
5:00 pm ~ Appetizers Served and Bar Opens
5:30 pm ~ A word from our sponsors
6 pm ~ Forum Starts with DCFR Introduction and a Word on the Future of Space with Larisa Breton
6:15 pm ~ Robert Beletic speaks for 15 minutes (10-15 minutes of Q&A)
6:45 pm ~ Lt Col Brian Moore speaks for 15 minutes (10-15 minutes of Q&A)
7:15 pm ~ Jim Crocker speaks for 15-20 minutes (15 minutes of Q&A)
8 pm ~ Closing Announcements by DCFR
8:30 pm ~ Event Ends
Parking and Directions
*Please visit our Global Affairs Speaker Dinenrs page to learn about our policies.
