Leaders Meet For Space Legislative Forum

Political leaders and and space industry representatives will gather this morning in Cocoa to discuss a legislative agenda that advances the state's space interests.

The Florida Space and Technology Forum, which is free and open to the public, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearwater Road. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.

Featured guests and speakers include Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, Kennedy Space Center Director Bill Parsons, and numerous space industry representatives.

State Senator Mike Haridopolos and Rep. Dean Cannon are forum co-chairs.

Congressmen Tom Feeney and Dave Weldon could not attend because of a pending vote on a proposed Wall St. bailout package today in Washington.

Click "Read more" to see a complete list of forum participants provided by organizers, and check The Flame Trench later for updates on the discussion.

Special Presentations by:
· Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp
· Bill Parsons, Director, Kennedy Space Center

Public Policy Panel:
· Congressman Tom Feeney
· Congressman Dave Weldon
· Senator Mike Haridopolos
· Senator Bill Posey
· Representative Sandy Adams
· Representative Thad Altman
· Representative Dean Cannon
· Representative Ralph Poppell
· Representative Steve Precourt
· Representative Tony Sasso

Business and Industry Presenters:
· Gwendolyn Anello, Vice President Education and Research, Zero Gravity Corporation
· David Bethay, Director of Constellation Transition, Boeing Florida Operations
· Barney Bishop, President and CEO, Associated Industries of Florida
· Frank DiBello, CEO, ITV Group
· Dr. James Fenton, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center
· George Hauer, Vice President and Director of KSC Operations, Wyle Laboratories
· Marshall Heard, Chairman, Florida Aviation Aerospace Alliance
· Steve Kohler, President, Space Florida
· Adrian Laffitte, Director/Florida Government Relations, Lockheed Martin Corporation
· Pedro J. Medelius, Ph.D., Associate Program Manager, Chief Scientist, ASRC Aerospace Corporation
· Mark Nappi, Vice President/Launch and Recovery Systems, Florida Site Executive, United Space Alliance
· Rick Navarro, Delta II Program Director, United Launch Alliance
· Len Phillips, Director of Launch Infrastructure, ATK Launch Systems
· Jacob Stuart, President, Central Florida Partnership
· Roy Tharpe, SGS Deputy Chief of Operations, Northrop Grumman
· Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO, Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast

Moderator:
Speaker John Thrasher