Space Coast BUSINESS - Space: Past, Present, and Future Issue

JULY 2019

The Silicon Valley of Space

HISTORY HAPPENED HERE The Next Small Steps For Man And Giant Leaps For Mankind

GENERATIONS Collins, Bezos, the Moon & Beyond

Let our Business Law and Real Estate Law Group serve as your trusted legal advisors.

J. Cole Oliver

Kevin M. Barry

Clifford Repperger Jr.

Jason D. Slater

Firm Practice Areas Business Law • Real Estate Law • Probate / Trust Administration Asset Protection • Estate Planning / Wealth Preservation • Matrimonial & Family Law Civil & Complex Litigation • Local Government Law • Appellate Law • Land Use Law Employment Law • Healthcare Law • Guardianship • Elder Law www.RosswaySwan.com

Vero Beach 772.231.4440

Melbourne 321.984.2700

Coral Gables 305.443.5020 (By Appointment)

WELCOME

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Growing Up With Rockets A year before I graduated from Cocoa Beach High School, Nancy Yasecko crossed the symbolic bridge located in the school’s commons and received her diploma, along with Space Florida’s Dale Ketcham. Nancy went on to become a film producer and in 1985 she released Growing Up with Rockets.

The award-winning film was our collective story. Different than Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 or First Man, Nancy’s film focused on what it was like to be a daughter or son of one of the team members who defied the odds, put men on the moon and brought them safely back to earth. Each home movie clip used in her chronicle could have been taken from the stacks of my parents’ 8mm films, which I still have today.

Like me, and most of my classmates,

her father was a NASA engineer.

The 60-minute movie touches on topics including Sputnik, the Cuban missile crisis and the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, ending with the first space shuttle flight in 1981. My father, a veteran of all those programs, retired from NASA not long after the shuttle program came on line.

This month we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

In our own way, this issue is our salute to the past and to the challenges and opportunities that await the Space Coast in the future.

Eric Wright PUBLISHER ERIC@SPACECOASTMAGAZINES.COM

THIS MONTH’S THEME: Space: Past, Present and Future

6

BOEING BUSINESS FEATURE

12

THE SILICON VALLEY OF SPACE

18

COVER FEATURE:

COLLINS, BEZOS, THE MOON & BEYOND

46

UPCLOSE DALE KETCHAM

Cover photo provided by: NASA

JULY 2 019 : 1

Get Smart, Get SMARTdial!

Customers today demand more from your business than ever. They expect a fast response and convenient communication.

To keep up, your team needs to be available and able to collaborate easily. You need Affordable Agility and Speed -- you need SMARTdial from Artemis.

How can SMARTdial help your business? Call 321-757-8909 today to speak with a Communications Specialist!

HD Call Quality

Speedy Setup

Stay Connected

Superior Support

Superior call quality, because we understand IT and networking

Installation and training Included

UniďŹ ed Communications features keep you in touch

US-based live support

Upgrade to SMARTdial today!

Discover how Artemis can help improve your operations with a reliable, cost effective SMARTdial UniďŹ ed Communications Solution, call today!

Happiness is a Healthy Smile Beverly Rose, DMD Always Gentle, Always Friendly

If you and your family are seeking personalized care by a highly trained and experienced dentist in a comfortable setting, Exceptional Dentistry is the place for you!

“Whether your smile needs a little help or a lot, I can help.”

ACTUAL CLIENT PHOTOS

Beverly Rose, DMD 2755 North Wickham Road, #101, Melbourne ♦ (321) 259-4666 ♦ www.BeverlyRoseDMD.com Family Dentistry | Cosmetic Dentistry | TMJ/Neuromuscular Dentistry | Relaxation Dentistry | One-Visit Crowns & Fillings Metal-Free Dentistry | Porcelain Veneers | ZOOM! Whitening | Digital X-rays (90% less radiation)

ASK US HOW WE CAN

SAVE YOU MONEY ON INTERNET & PHONE SERVICE UNIFYING COMMUNICATIONS

HOSTED PBX AND VOIP

You want a reliable, high-quality phone system that simply works so you can focus on your business and not your communications platform. Our system adapts and adjusts to your needs and seamlessly works the way you do. We have a solution that meets your needs.

CONFIGURATION FLEXIBILITY

Our reliable, feature-rich hosted phone services adjust as you need them to. We make it easy for our customers to deploy the communication apps and solutions that your business needs, creating an in-office experience right at your fingertips, wherever you are on whichever device you choose.

UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS

Unified Communications (UC) is the seamless integration of voice, presence, chat, data, applications, and other technologies that help drastically improve your communication p ro c e s s e s a n d b u s i n e s s p ro d u c t i v i t y.

SUPPORTIVE STAFF

We’re here to support your business at every level with our always-available, skilled and professional support team. We’ll help you with your specific needs and concerns, while giving you personalized customer support you won’t find anywhere else.

NO COST REVIEW OF

PHONE & INTERNET BILLS

LET US SAVE YOU MONEY (8 6 6) 8 1 4 - 5 8 5 5

•

S AV E N O W @ C O M M U L U S . N E T

•

W W W.C O M M U L U S . N E T

Experience the G & G Roofing Difference

&

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL R O O F I N G

[residential]

[commercial]

Outstanding Warranty

Financing Available

Rapid Response Times

Proudly Serving Florida Since 2002

24-Hour Emergency Service

Evening & Weekend Service Available

844-989-ROOF (7663) • CFLRoofing.com

BOEING’S CST-100

STARLINER: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE SPACE COAST

T

he CST-100 Starliner is Boeing’s latest advancement in human spaceflight, a next generation spacecraft that will offer transportation services for crew and cargo to low-Earth orbit destinations. This capsule will not only be able to fly itself, but it will also be the first American-made orbital crew capsule to ever land on land.

The Starliner fleet is based and launched from Florida’s Space Coast and it is the newest human-related spacecraft to be manufactured in Florida in almost forty years.

By Monique Corea, Writer

Photos provided by: The Boeing Company

FEATURE

The Boeing company has had a large presence on the Space Coast for many years and has been a leader in space since the beginning. Nearly every human spacecraft in United States history has been designed and built in part by Boeing or one of its heritage companies. The company has around 1,400 employees across Florida, the majority being at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).

T h e C S T- 1 0 0 Starliner came about when NASA’s Sp a c e Shuttle Program came to a close.

NASA decided to give the business of low-Earth orbit transportation to commercial companies so that they may focus on longer exploration missions, such as going to Mars.

NASA needed a new way to transport astronauts to the International Space Station and Boeing’s Starliner was chosen to complete this task.

The new Starliner fleet consists of three spacecraft, all of which are designed to make passengers’ in-flight experience as comfortable and user-friendly as possible. For example, all the seats are custom made for each passenger and can accommodate 95% of the world’s population in terms of height. The capsules are configured to fly a mix of cargo and up to five passengers, four of which will be NASA astronauts.

Starliner assigned crew.

CST-100 STARLINER IS BOEING’S NEXT GENERATION SPACECRAFT. THE LATEST ADVANCEMENT IN HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT. The final seat will be open to an astronaut from another country, space tourists, a private company or even another nation looking to expand their own space program and conduct research on the International Space Station. All of the Starliner capsules can fly themselves and they include touchscreen displays, as well as traditional switches.

Many of these design features came from Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson, who has had the rare opportunity to be so heavily involved with the design of the actual vehicle they fly. Ferguson is a retired Navy Captain and former NASA shuttle pilot.

Chris Ferguson

Starliner drop test.

JULY 2 019 : 7

FEATURE

MADE IN FLORIDA At the moment, all three capsules are in various stages of assembly at KSC inside Boeing’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility (C3PF).

Boeing decided to base the production of the Starliners in Florida because of the proximity of their customer and the dynamic aerospace workforce that would be available on the Space Coast.

The facility that houses the Starliners is a former orbiter processing facility for NASA’s Space Shuttle Program and housed a number of shuttles, including Discovery. In order to house these capsules in this facility, Boeing, Space Florida and NASA had to refurbish it. They partnered with local businesses such as Hensel Phelps Construction and the architecture and design firm, BRPH, to complete the renovations of the facility.

“Boeing places an increased emphasis on the utilization of small and diverse suppliers who can offer us the best value and strongest solutions to our customers’ needs,” said Megan Quinn, Small Businees Liaison Officer at Boeing.

8 : SPACE C OAST B US I N E SS

|

Production in Florida: Boeing decided to base the production of the Starliners in Florida because of the proximity of their costumer and the dynamic aerospace workforce that would be available on the Space Coast.

Part of Boeing’s supplier diversity efforts engage in small business outreach and industry events across the county to ensure that the most innovative companies have the opportunity to be a part of Boeing’s larger mission.

Part of these efforts focus on NASA’s Mentor Protégé Program that encourages NASA contractors to work with eligible smaller companies. This program allows Boeing, and other larger NASA contractors, to have a mentoring role with qualified small businesses with the possibility of fostering longterm business relationships.

INTO SPACE IN 2019 In the near future, the Starliner program is planning to hold its first launch aboard an Atlas V rocket rocket at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This launch will be an un-crewed test flight, known as the Orbital Test Flight, and is planned to take place in August. For this launch, it will fly and dock autonomously to the International Space Station (ISS) for roughly two weeks and then come back to Earth.

SPAC E C OAST BU S INES S .CO M

COCOA BEACH REGIONAL Chamber of Commerce

Think of the CBRCC when you’re ready to market your business to the local community!

Partnership of more than 1,500 local businesses Expanded offices in Viera, Cocoa Beach and kiosk desk in Port Canaveral’s Exploration tower Consists of 80% small business Assists in bridging the gap between big business and small business Later this year, the program plans to launch the first Starliner with humans on board for the Crew Flight Test. This crew will consist of Boeing astronaut Chris Ferguson, and NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Mike Fincke. The mission for these astronauts could potentially last up to 210 days. After these test flights

Fosters a pro-business environment while providing valuable tools and resources to ensure business success

Stop into any of our locations for area information, coupons and more!

are completed, Starliner will begin flying regular missions for NASA to the ISS starting in 2020 with the launch of NASA astronauts.

“30 years from now, my daughter could be working as a biologist, and instead of being stationed in some remote jungle location, she could be asked by a private orbiting research lab to climb aboard a next-generation Starliner spacecraft for a three-month detail in space,”

Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce (Main Office)

said Jessica Landa, Starliner Communicator at Kennedy

(321) 459-2200

Space Center.

The Avenue Viera (321) 454-2021

When talking to Landa about the potential future of the program she stated, “Now that Starliner is paving a way to low-Earth orbit, we expect countless public and private destinations to follow; research labs, manufacturing facilities, space hotels…and more.” It is expected that the next 50 years of human spaceflight will be just as prolific and innovative as the early days of commercial aviation. Starliner is just the beginning of this next generation of space flight and manufacturing here in Florida. 

Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Information Office (321) 784-6444 Tourist Information Kiosk, Exploration Tower 670 Dave Nisbet Dr. Port Canveral

CocoaBeachChamber.com JULY 2 019 : 9

COMPANY HIGHLIGHT

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

From Left: Chuck Ellefson - CPA/CVA, Wazeena Rustom, Dawn Nolan, Barbara Nooney - CPA/PFS, Thomas P. Flavin - CPA/PFS, Aaron Stitzel - CPA/PFS, Tyler Heckman

For nearly 30 years, the team of certified public accountants and advisors at Flavin Nooney & Person has been helping clients throughout Central Florida and beyond. "We're a full-service firm dedicated to providing our clients with professional, personalized financial service and guidance,” explained Tom Flavin, CEO and founder. “We serve the financial planning, tax and accounting needs of wealthy individuals and small to mid-sized businesses, and we appreciate that each client has their own personal and professional goals.”

Since opening its doors in September 1989 and taking on its first five clients, the firm’s philosophy has been to provide topnotch, personalized service. “Since our founding we’ve served thousands of clients,” said Flavin.

“But those original five clients are still with us, and that’s very important to me. We’re grateful for our clients' trust and we strive to exceed their expectations. We’re fortunate to live and work in the paradise known as East Central

Founded 1989

321.725.4700

Florida. Our clients live here, too. We see them when they’re out to dinner with their families. We bump into them at the movie theater, or at the supermarket. For this reason, I’ve always conducted my business with the utmost integrity, keeping our clients’ needs front and center. When we meet, I want to be able to smile at them, say hello, ask about their kids and know I’ve provided the best service I possibly can for them.”

To meet its clients’ needs, the firm continues to expand its capabilities and menu of services. Over the next few years it intends to focus on enhancing the growing financial planning and wealth management segment of its practice. “People desperately need truly independent financial advice and investment guidance,” said Flavin. “As CPA’s and licensed investment advisors, we're uniquely qualified to provide that advice and guidance.”

info@flavincpa.com

flavincpa.com

2200 S. Babcock Melbourne, FL 32901

yp

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

DEREK CHENET COMPANY NAME: Dental Excellence Melbourne

Cedric C Chenet, DDS, PA TITLE: Doctor of Dental Surgery, Master of Arts in Science and Education LOCATION: Melbourne, FL EDUCATION: B.S. in Chemistry, Duke University, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, M.A. From Teachers College at Columbia University YEARS IN AREA: 1 YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 6

D

r. Derek Chenet was born at the Misawa Air Base in Japan while his father, Dr. Cedric Chenet, served overseas as a dentist in the United States Air Force.

He achieved his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Duke University before pursuing his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

While at school, he was selected as one of six students to take part in the Comprehensive Implantology Continuum, where he received extensive training in implant treatment planning, surgery and restoration. He also earned the Henry Chang Jr. Memorial Scholarship and the Academy Osseointegration Outstanding Dental Student in Implant Dentistry Award. Additionally, he completed two years of post-graduate training in a general practice residency at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center in association with Mount Sinai Hospital, where he trained in the management of complex cases, fixed and removable prosthodontics, restorative dentistry and implant placement and restoration. In 2015, he became a Certified Invisalign Provider. Today, Chenet works alongside his dad and fiancée, Dr. Veronica Yu, at Dental Excellence Melbourne.

DENTAL EXCELLENCE MELBOURNE 336 North Babcock St., Suite 102 Melbourne, FL 32940 (321) 255-0199 www.dentalexcellencemelbourne.com

“The best part of my job is working with my hands and using new technologies every day,” said Chenet. “The Space Coast region is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. With the increased importance being placed on engineering and computer science jobs, I am hoping for an injection of youth that will bring more diversity and excitement to the area.” ◆

FEATURE

"I think it would be great to be born on earth and to die on Mars. Just hopefully not at the point of impact."

Elon Musk

THE SILICON VALLEY OF SPACE Elon and Jeff ’s Excellent Adventure

By Eric Wright, Publisher

“Y

ou see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’” - George Bernard Shaw. That statement captures the past, the present and the future of Florida’s Space Coast: a place with a storied legacy, where aspiration and vision seem to be in the DNA, but also a place where the future seems to be at a tipping point.

Like no other time in history, innovation and challenging limits are the expected norm. We are in an era where computers have moved from the size of a Coke machine, to a deck of cards and now a postage stamp. And the internet, which has not even turned 30 yet, has changed the way the world communicates as much as the introduction of the phonetic alphabet. Like England, Holland, Spain and Portugal in the 15th and 16th centuries who saw maritime ventures as their future - once again humanity is looking skyward and seeing endless possibilities.

Above: Elon Musk. Top right: Jeff Bezos.

Bottom right: Mars, the next frontier.

Photos provided by: NASA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin

Silicon Valley became the epicenter of consumer technology by catching the wave, or rather the tsunami, created by the fortuitous convergence of computer savvy entrepreneurs, the silicon chip and the internet.

Is it possible that the next great advances will turn our focus from the terrestrial use of cybertechnology to the frontiers of space? From computer chips to spaceships?

According to J.D. Vance, the managing partner of the Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, investors are beginning to look beyond the next innovative app or internet consumerism toward transformative projects. Projects, he says, that have the potential to change the world and the future, like Elon Musk’s and Jeff Bezos’ ongoing efforts with SpaceX and Blue Origin, respectively.

Another industry up and comer, Firefly CEO Dr. Tom Markusic, said in a press release announcing their new operations on the Space Coast, “The space industry is expected to be the fastest growing segment of the worldwide economy in the coming decades, with analysts predicting a global market of over a trillion dollars a year by 2040.”

Why Here, Why Now? Steve Case, the former CEO and chairman of AOL and now CEO and chairman of Revolution, recently brought his venture capital roadshow, Rise of the Rest, to Brevard. They made only four stops in the state: Tampa, Orlando, Miami and the Space Coast.

This begs the question, “why here?”

If Case and his colleagues are correct, the Space Coast will be the area where the next wave of entrepreneurial efforts and investment could be focused.

Interestingly, the moderator of the discussion Case and Vance shared, before their pitch competition began, was Kim Hart. She is the managing editor of Axios, a wildly successful new digital news platform that recently introduced an outlet that may confirm our assumptions: Axios Space. Other sites like space.com, universetoday. com and spaceflightnow.com are also gaining a wide following.

The mission of Rise of the Rest is, pardon the pun, to spread the wealth, as 75% of venture capital investment goes to only three states: California, New York and Massachusetts. Of the nearly $131 billion in VC investments in 2018, which was a new record, over 50% went to California alone, and Florida garnered a mere $1.7 billion.

There is good news. Private investors poured $3.9 billion into commercial space companies in 2018, a record, according to a report from the investment firm Space Angels. The sum accounts for a sixth of all the money invested in the last nine years. Not only is money flowing in, the last eight years have seen around $25 billion in exits, as acquisitions and public offerings take venture capital investments from startups to the next level. In addition, 120 firms made investments in space last year, topping a peak of 89 in 2015.

The Quest for Space

1926

1903 Robert Goddard First rocket launch

The Wright Brothers - First to fly

14 : SPAC E C OAST B US I N E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S INES S .CO M

“The space industry is expected to be the fastest growing segment of the worldwide economy in the coming decades, with analysts predicting a global market of over a trillion dollars a year by 2040.”

1969 1947 Chuck Yeager First pilot to exceed the speed of sound.

Neil Armstrong First man on the moon

Beyond Risk to Reward A passionate, but mild-mannered evangelist for entrepreneurialism, Case declared the key to entrepreneurial success was not focusing on the potential risks, though he fully understands due-diligence, but instead zeroing in on the limitless potential.

“All major corporations started as small ventures,” he said. “And across the nation, economic development experts are realizing the best way to create job growth is not to convince companies to relocate, but to grow companies locally.”

The project Rise of the Rest chose to fund was Atomos Nuclear and Space. This company uses what their CEO Vanessa Clark described as, “High-powered electric propulsion tugs to move satellites to any orbit beyond low Earth orbit.” Basically, their spacecraft can deploy satellites into higher orbits, dispose of defunct satellites, recover satellites that have gone astray or provide a propulsion option that, unlike chemical rockets which fire and then coast, are able to provide continuous acceleration.

A kind of tortoise-versus-the-hare approach to space travel.

For the first time in history, the Space Coast is not just the launch site, the last step in putting people and payloads into space. Now it is where these projects begin. Also, for the first time in history, the creativity and the drive of entrepreneurialism is propelling our space efforts. Like the convergence that happened 35 years ago in Silicon Valley, Brevard could become the Silicon Valley of space.

If this seems improbable, pause for a moment and call to mind two images that are etched in our collective memory. One is of Orville Wright making his first flight across the beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The craft looks almost comically fragile, and it was, but in

less than 50 years, Chuck Yeager flew his Bell X-1 faster than the speed of sound. The second is Robert Goddard, standing next to his first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. His missile contraption looks more like the frame of an artificial Christmas tree. It flew to an altitude of 41 feet in a two-second burn. Again, in less than 50 years, humans traveled from Earth to the Moon and back.

Goddard is well remembered for his response to a 1920 New York Times editorial, bearing the title “A Severe Strain on Credulity,” which challenged his theories on space flight. Part of his now famous reply was, “Every vision is a joke until the first man accomplishes it; once realized, it becomes commonplace.” How true: space flight is so commonplace that failures garner more press than successes. One is also reminded of Steve Wozniak’s story about going to the leadership of Hewlett Packard five times to demonstrate his Apple 1 personal computer. His employer, to whom he wanted to give the technology, turned him down each time. Like a launch window, windows of opportunity do not remain open long.

“We want the things that are in science fiction novels and movies not to be science fiction forever. We want them to be real one day.”

The Excellent Adventure Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk did not capture the world’s imagination with the limitless possibilities of space.

That was something Jules Verne, Gene Roddenberry and Wernher von Braun did. What Bezos and Musk have accomplished is to put space travel and space utilization on the same footing as other monumental projects, like the transcontinental railroad.

The railroad, which, along with abundant land, was a primary component in making America the envy and driver of the modern world. It was a public/private partnership; the government contributed land rights, but the project was built and funded largely by the private sector.

For the first time, space utilization and exploration is taking a similar track.

Strangely, it is not the pilots of these technological wonders that are capturing people’s imaginations. The ones with “the right stuff” are the daring individuals risking their fortunes to make it happen.

They are the rock stars of space.

In truth, it has been their willingness to put their money where their mouth is, or their passion is, that has garnered so much attention. But who knows, perhaps the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates of space is working in their parents’ garage or pondering possibilities in their college dorm.

As Musk said in a CNBC interview, “I really believe in the future of space, and I think it’s important that we become a space-faring civilization and get out there among the stars. And I think that’s one of the things that, you know, makes people excited about the future.

We want the things that are in science fiction novels and movies not to be science fiction forever. We want them to be real one day.”

We also want them to be realized right here on the Space Coast.  JULY 2 019 : 15

your interests. your community. your inbox.

Get the latest local business & event news.

FEBRUARY 2019

TURNING THE KEY FOR

KEN WELSH

CLIENTS Welsh Construction

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Centering on Collaboration Space Coast Health Foundation

Up Close with Mike Williams

1-Year Subscription (12 Issues)

$

29.95

NOW AVAILABLE

AT PUBLIX, WALGREENS, CVS & WALMART.

Know Brevard.

YOUR INTERESTS. YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR MAILBOX.

16 : SPAC E C OAST B US I N E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S INES S .CO M

Pick Your Platform You are busy. We know because

we are too. That is why we make sure this powerful content is easy for you to access. Our digital editions and exclusive updates keep you connected.

CORPORATE BANKING SERVICES YOU CAN COUNT ON At BankUnited, we are committed to helping businesses on the Florida Space Coast grow.

As one of the largest independent financial institutions headquartered in Florida, we value what matters to you because we live and work next to you. Our knowledgeable and dedicated team of professionals will work with you to understand your business goals and create a package of fully integrated financial solutions designed to power your business forward.

Call me today to learn more!

JOSEPH DISANTI SVP, Corporate Lender 386-589-7660 jdisanti@bankunited.com

SPECIAL FEATURE

GENERATIONS Collins, Bezos, the Moon & Beyond

M

ichael Collins, the Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot, turns 89 this year. Carrying the Fire, his autobiographical story of the lunar mission which he wrote himself, is one of the most celebrated accounts of the epic journey. It had a special reprinting this year for the 50th Anniversary of the lunar landing.

In a NASA interview on the 40th Anniversary, he was asked what his strongest memory of Apollo 11 was.

He replied, “Looking back at Earth from a great distance. I really believe that if the political leaders of the world could see their planet from a distance of 100,000 miles their outlook could be fundamentally changed. That allimportant border would be invisible, that noisy argument silenced. The tiny globe would continue to turn, serenely ignoring its subdivisions, presenting a unified façade that would cry out for unified understanding, for homogeneous treatment.”

Photo provided by: NASA

When asked about feeling lonely, as he remained on the command module, while Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the moon, he was dismissive. “Far from feeling lonely or abandoned, I felt very much a part of what is taking place on the lunar surface,” he said. “I know that I would be a liar or a fool if I said that I had the best of the three Apollo 11 seats, but I can say with truth and equanimity that I am perfectly satisfied with the one I had. This venture was structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two. I don’t mean to deny a feeling

of solitude. It is there, reinforced by the fact that radio contact with the Earth abruptly cuts off at the instant I disappear behind the moon, I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it.”

Collins also flew with Orlando native John Young on the Gemini 10 mission, and after Apollo 11, he became the Director of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in 1971. It is the home of not only his Apollo 11 capsule, but of the Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis and Chuck Yeager’s Bell X-1. Collins was responsible for the museum’s design, construction and preeminent place as one of the greatest museums in the world. Since its opening in 1976,

the museum has welcomed over 350 million visitors.

In 2016, Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin and Amazon, sat down for an interview with Collins at the Air and Space Museum, for what was a historic exchange. It can be seen on Nasa's YouTube channel in the Science and Technology Category, under the title "Spaceflight Then, Now and Next." The following are excerpts from that conversation.

Official photos of the Apollo 11 astronauts.

Pictured from left to right are: Neil A. Armstrong, Commander; Michael Collins, Module Pilot; Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, Lunar Module Pilot.

Photos provided by: NASA

JULY 2019

SPECIAL FEATURE in the normal course, we would be.

The only reason Blue Origin, SpaceX or Virgin Galactic can do what we are doing is because we are standing on the shoulders of NASA. All the formula’s we use, they developed.

If the president asked you, “What can we do to reclaim the momentum we once had in space?” What would you advise?

pard boosterlanding Above: Blue Origin's New She Right: Jeff Bezos Photos courtesy of: Blue Origin

Spaceflight Then, Now and Next Which was more challenging, building Amazon into one of the greatest companies in the world or building Blue Origin?

Jeff Bezos (JB): Very different challenges. A little over 20 years ago I was driving packages to the post office in my Chevy Blazer, dreaming one day I would be able to buy a forklift.

Today, the entrepreneurial dynamism produced through the internet is just incredible. That is what I want to help facilitate with space.

I want to put the heavy lift of infrastructure in place, so that the next generation can have that same entrepreneurial dynamism and explosion of ideas, that we experienced with the internet. When I started Amazon, UPS and the postal system already existed, I didn’t have to build SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

that. Credit cards and direct payment already was there. Currently there is so much involved in getting into space; that is what I want to change. Today, the price of admission in space is too high.

Why are entrepreneurs, instead of the federal government leading the charge into space?

Michael Collins (MC): Most things are cyclical, and we reached the crest of the wave at the end of the Apollo program. We have had a long hiatus and now that momentum is rebuilding. I have always thought we should have gone right on to Mars. In fact, I was in favor of renaming NASA, NAMA, the National Aeronautics and Mars Administration.

JB: Perhaps technology has had to catch-up. Essentially, what they did with the Apollo program in the 60s should have been impossible, when you think about the technology they had. Perhaps it was almost premature and now we are just getting to where,

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

MC: When John F. Kennedy said we wanted to go to the moon in 10 years, everyone understood exactly what the goal was. We need something similar to that today, a clear welldefined objective, with leadership to back it up.

JB: Perhaps a big prize, like the DARPA Grand Challenge, that kicked off self-driving cars, we could do something similar with space. Perhaps an unmanned mission to Mars to bring back samples of Martian soil. If they don’t succeed it cost taxpayers nothing. Also, I think NASA needs to be focused on gigantic hard technology goals. Like an in space qualified nuclear reactor, which would be essential to any deep space mission or research on point to point supersonic travel on earth.

Do you think there are UFO’s or life on other planets?

MC: The problem is the descriptor; every pilot has seen unidentified flying objects. Do I think they are alien space craft? No. JB: I think there is life elsewhere in the universe.

Do I think they have visited us and abducted people? No, I do not. Nor is there a government conspiracy to keep it secret. When or if they come, it won’t be a secret.

How did you become an astronaut?

MC: I didn’t look up into the sky and see the moon and say to myself, “I want to go into space.” I went to West

Point, because my father, my uncle and my brother had all gone there, and it was a free education. My father was a general and my uncle was the Army Chief of Staff at the time, so when I graduated, to avoid nepotism, I went into the Air Force. I had a choice to fly or not fly, I chose to fly. Then the choice was to fly big ones or little ones, I chose little ones. Then it was to fly the same ones over and over or to fly the new ones, I wanted to fly the new ones. Next thing I know I’m a test pilot and NASA is looking for test pilots. It was just a stair step. Most people don’t know the process they went through to determine who might make the best astronauts. It was crazy, they thought of mountain climbers and deep-sea scuba divers. Finally, the decided-on certified test pilots, so that narrowed it down to where I got in.

never be affordable.

individual to represent NASA.

Will you one day go into space?

Going to the Moon I compare to a very complex and fragile daisy chain, if one link breaks, it all unravels. Someone asked Neil about the complex challenges of navigating the spacecraft. He, with his characteristic humor responded, ‘No, it wasn’t complex, you could see the Moon the whole way there.”

JB: Absolutely I will, I think we can lower cost and increase reliability, through reusability.

How was it decided or was there debate about who would be the first to step on the moon?

MC: Neil, as the mission commander, was the logical choice. Frankly, because of his experience as a test pilot he was far and away the most qualified. Some thought he was too reticent as a public representative, but I thought he was just the kind of

It was the assent from the moon that produced the most anxiety for me.

I had a book with 18 different ‘what if’ scenarios I practiced, because that lunar vehicle only had one shot, there were no back up systems. 

Washin gton Po st on M July 21 onday, , 1969, s ta Eagle H as Land ting 'The ed—Two Walk on Men the Moo n'.

Where did your interest in space begin?

JB: I was inspired as a five-year-old watching the journey of Apollo 11. You don’t choose your passions, your passions chose you and ever since I was five, I have had a passion for space and thought about spacecraft every day of my life.

I always wanted to build a space company. But reality came into play and I became enamored with computers. Then I won this lottery called Amazon.com, and I realized, ‘Hey I can build a space company.’

So, I started Blue Origin, which now employs about 700 people. We are building an orbital vehicle, along with a sub-orbital tourism vehicle, to compete with Virgin Galactic, to make it possible for anyone who wants to, to go into space.

The key is you have to make your vehicles reusable. If you throw them in the ocean after each use it will

Above: Michael Collins, now and then.

th from a great “Looking back at Ear e that if the political ev li be ly al re I . ce n dista could see their planet ld or w e th of s er ad le ,000 miles their 0 10 of ce n ta is d a from tally changed." en am d n fu be ld u co outlook Michael Collins

NASA Photos provided by:

FEATURE

FireFly Aerospace: Building and Launching from the Space Coast One of the exciting facets of the burgeoning space industry is that there are so many opportunities for companies to cater to particular segments of the market. Much like how automobile customers do not all want Porsches, BMW’s or Ford F-150’s, there are a plethora of favorable openings that are being filled in this diverse and growing industry. An example of this immerging trend is Firefly Aerospace.

Headquartered in Austin, TX, Firefly has established business operations at Cape Canaveral Spaceport, including launch operations at historic Space Launch Complex 20 (SLC-20) and manufacturing facilities at Exploration Park, Florida. The company has set their sights on providing economical and convenient access to space for small payloads.

Firefly bases their model on a “simplest/soonest” approach to technology selection. Their launch vehicles embody the insights of a diverse design team SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

[ By Sebastian Northside ]

and leverage commercial off–the–shelf (COTS) components, manufactured by suppliers across the United States. This reduces risk, while maximizing reliability, i.e., the simplest solution to produce an extremely complex technology. This in turn minimizes development time, so their payload deployment is soonest.

Firefly seems to be on track to deliver a U.S. solution for the 1,000 to 4,000 kg payload class to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by 2019, for a starting price of $15 million.

New in New-Space The company’s founder and CEO Dr. Tom Markusic, in addition to earning his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University, has served in a variety of technical and leadership roles in what are being called “New-Space Companies.” He was Vice President of Propulsion at Virgin Galactic, Senior Systems Engineer at Blue Origin and Director of the Texas Test Site and Principal Propulsion Engineer at SpaceX.

Markusic commented, “Firefly Aerospace is uniquely positioned to be successful in this new economy.

With launch sites on both coasts and a mass production facility to support future growth, our global team of over 300 highly accomplished engineers and technicians will provide space solutions from LEO to the surface of the Moon and beyond.”

Firefly’s presence on the Space Coast is due in part to the efforts of Space Florida (the state’s aerospace and spaceport development authority).

They assisted the company’s Florida operations by matching Firefly’s infrastructure investments up to $18.9 million via the Florida Department of Transportation Spaceport Improvement Program. Firefly in turn will invest $52 million in a 180,000 square foot rocket assembly plant and will bring more than 200 high paying jobs to Florida, with an average annual salary of $70,000.

“Firefly Aerospace is proud to be the newest member of the Florida Space Coast family,” Markusic said. “Our mass production manufacturing facility in Exploration Park will enable Firefly to produce 24 Alpha vehicles

a year, enabling a launch cadence that will support a rapidly expanding global small satellite revolution and the commercialization of cislunar space (within the moon’s orbit).”

Frank DiBello, Space Florida President and CEO commented, “Firefly’s presence in the State of Florida further solidifies that Florida’s Spaceport System is poised to lead the world in this next space era.

We look forward to the new launch and manufacturing capabilities that Firefly brings to SLC-20 and Exploration Park.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Website: firefly.com Facebook: fireflyspace LinkedIn: Firefly Aerospace Twitter: FireFly_Space

Photos courtesy of: Firefly Aerospace

JULY 2019

PALM BAY

SPACE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Learn more about the ISU-CSE Commercial Space Program by visiting https://isucse.fit.edu

THE CENTER FOR

LAUNCHES AT FLORIDA TECH

By Adam Lowenstein A VISION FOR A NEW KIND OF EDUCATION

Above: Alex Coultrup, a Florida Tech graduate student who is enrolled in the new certification program, Christian Sallaberger, chairman of the board at International Space University, Center for Space Entrepreneurship Director Andrew Aldrin, Florida Tech President Dwayne McCay and Chad Anderson, CEO of Space Angels. Inset: The Atlas image is of a night launch as seen from above the Florida Tech campus in Melbourne. Photo credit: Michael R. Brown, Florida Institute of Technology.

W

hen Florida Institute of Technology was founded in 1958 (known in those early years as Brevard Engineering College), its goal was to bring higher education in engineering and science to the growing legion of space technicians employed at Cape Canaveral a few miles away. The Space Race was underway by then and headed toward its apotheosis a decade later, an accomplishment that remains one of the United States’ most powerful success stories: the Apollo 11 mission that put men on the moon and brought them back to Earth.

As the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of that stellar achievement, Florida Tech is once again in the vanguard of higher education with a celestial focus. Florida Tech and other national and global universities help produce engineers, rocket scientists and space hardware technicians, but as the space industry evolves, so, too, must the curriculum. A well-rounded business SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

leader will bring a wide knowledge-set to the table, including an understanding of policy, the global marketplace and existing infrastructure, and in many cases, the skill of pitching a startup. For students eyeing leadership in the future of commercial space, formal training and industry-specific mentorship in the dynamics of doing business in space had been harder to come by. No longer.

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

In June, a select cohort of students began studies in the first-ever session of the Center for Space Entrepreneurship, a collaboration between the International Space University (ISU) and the Aldrin Space Institute at Florida Tech. The two institutions partnered to form the ISUCSE Commercial Space Program.

The program allows ISU, which holds space studies programs annually in rotating locations around the world, to establish a more permanent fixture in North America, and to connect in new ways with Florida Tech, a renowned institution of higher education, with a global reputation for excellence.

“ISU began with a vision of creating a new kind of education dedicated to the advancement of space exploration and development, and the creation of a cohesive community of space advocates,” said Dr. Greg Autry, professor of clinical entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California and a member of the of ISU-CSE faculty this summer.

Dr. Andy Aldrin, director of the Center for Space Entrepreneurship, believes ISU-CSE is perhaps his most important venture in a lifetime spent in space research, industry and advocacy. “Our educational system

does a wonderful job of training the best engineers and business people in the world,” he explained. “This program is intended to provide the context and tools to grow great technicians into the next generation of innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs in the dynamic space industry.”

Joining Autry and Aldrin are a team of space experts from industry and academia. Dr. Angie Bukley of the Aerospace Corporation; Chad Anderson, CEO of Space Angels, a venture capital firm supporting early-stage startups in the commercial space industry; Dr. Peter Ekart, a space industry consultant and ISU alumnus; and Dr. Henry Hertzfeld of George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute. A number of guest lecturers from industry and beyond round out the faculty.

Our mission is to serve, advocate and promote as the trusted voice for our business community.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION The program’s location is an asset as well. Of the United States’ 34 orbital space launches in 2018, 20 of them took off from Florida’s Space Coast – and that number is predicted to grow. Students enrolled in ISU-CSE will gather for six weeks at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the Space Coast, where they will experience an intensive curriculum of four fully-accredited graduate level courses amid the excitement and energy of this thriving space site.

“The area here is ripe with people doing very interesting things in the area of space entrepreneurship,” noted Dr. Chris Sallaberger, chairman of the board at ISU. The multidisciplinary student cohort represents several countries and multiple academic and industry backgrounds, but they are united by their passion for the future of the space industry and the shared goal of being best-prepared to support it. Students who successfully complete all four classes offered – Space Technology and Systems Management, Global Commercial Space Programs, Global Space Policy and Law, and Technological Entrepreneurship in Space – will earn a graduate certificate in Commercial Space Programs.

Students at ISU-CSE may spot a road that stretches to the launch where men, including Aldrin’s dad, Buzz, first rocketed to the moon. The road is named Space Commerce Way. Once an empty stretch, it has come to life in the last few years. Well-known companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance, who employ hundreds of people in the area, have been joined by newer, smaller companies like OneWeb and Firefly Aerospace in opening offices and production facilities on the Space Coast.

With the future of the space industry depending on the people who are completing their education today, where better to learn than a place illuminated by the glow of history? 

JOIN NOW

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS • Business promotion and referrals • Legislative advocacy • Alignment with a trusted brand and valuable community resource • Personal and professional development • Networking opportunities at over 90 events • Job listings to fill employment needs • Listing in Chamber online membership directory • Promotion on our social media sites

and much more!

A PERFECT PLACE TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS 4100 Dixie Highway NE, Palm Bay, 32905 info@greaterpalmbaychamber.com 321-951-9998 www.GreaterPalmBayChamber.com

JULY 2019

MELBOURNE

AT LAST!

New Commuter Relief Between MLB and I-95

[ By Monique Corea, Writer ]

“Our airport is constantly looking for ways to better serve our passengers, our tenants and our community as a whole Photo provided by: Melbourne International Airport

and this new connection to I-95 is a win for all of

I

t has been in the planning stages for decades, and now, the new interchange and connection between the Orlando Melbourne International Airport (MLB) and I-95 is becoming a reality. This project should go a long way in accommodating the growth of the community and the airport. It has been estimated that the new link could cut travel time in half, for both airline passengers and those commuting to work at the businesses which make up the aerospace and technology cluster which surrounds the airport.

For years, drivers have had to choose between the two alternative routes: to the south on US 192, one of the busiest commercial and retail corridors in the county, or to the north on SR 518. Both are heavily traveled roads, which are full of traffic snarls during peak commuting times. Hence the need for the long-anticipated alternative, which MLB and area municipalities have been working on for years.

Cliff Graham, the director of Operations and Maintenance at MLB said, SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

the airports stakeholders.�

Photo Credit: Brian Poytner

Making Connections Already fulfilling its role of connecting Florida’s Space Coast with hundreds of destinations throughout the world, MLB’s flight options have steadily increased. By offering convenient flight services for both business and leisure travelers, while striving to ensure an enjoyable travel experience, not only are passengers embarking from the area, more and more, but the airport is also becoming a destination for people coming to visit. To accommodate both residents and visitors, MLB has had its sights on this project for some time.

More than 20 years ago, the airport administration reached out to state and local officials with the concept for this crucial connection. By forging partnerships with the Florida Department of Transportation, Brevard County, the cities of Melbourne and West Melbourne, public support for the project gained steady momentum.

As a result, the support for the interchange grew, right along with the growth of the airport and the businesses that call that area home.

“We aren’t the same airport we were 20 years ago, and neither is this community,” Graham commented.

An interesting observation, not only from an airport executive, but one who actually grew up in Melbourne and has witnessed its expansion. He added that the interchange is another step in the vital set of improvements that have been made to insure a seamless link to the interstate. Graham went on to identify that there is also a need to widen Ellis Road, from two to four lanes, as the next major phase of the project. Which, according to Graham, is something airlines, tenants, and the people that work around the airport need now and in the future.

WHAT CAN Chamber Membership DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS? • Business support and development resources • Networking events, including monthly business breakfasts, business after hours events, council events, and more • New business opportunities • Access to professional development, including seminars and workshops • Participation in councils and committees pertaining to your field • Complimentary listing in Melbourne Chamber Member Directory on website and app • Complimentary Traffic Catcher website • Exclusive advertising and sponsorship opportunities to other chamber members as well as the community • Representation on governmental issues • Advocacy for a strong business community

Contact the Chamber today for more information.

1005 East Strawbridge Avenue Melbourne, FL 32901-4782 Tel: (321) 724-5400 www.MelbourneRegionalChamber.com

JULY 2019

TITUSVILLE

HELPING A COMMUNITY EXPLORE SCENIC BIKE TRAILS COAST TO COAST BICYCLE COMPANY [ By Monique Corea, Writer ] Now in its third year in cycling, Coast to Coast Bicycle Company rents quality bicycles at hourly, daily and weekly rates to the cyclists in Titusville. The cycling company also provides services including the selling, maintaining and repairing of bicycles. They are located near various bike trails including the Coast to Coast Connector Trail, the St. Johns River to Sea Loop and the East Coast Greenway, providing them with the best location to offer their services. They host group rides for cyclists of various skill levels. These bike tours can be arranged for all ages and any size group. The options range from casual rides on the trails to fastpaced road rides.

The company is the brainchild of Doug Overfelt. Employed at the Kennedy Space Center, Overfelt initially became interested in cycling by competing in triathlons, eventually focusing on just being a cyclist.

He always wanted to have a bicycle shop and took the opportunity to propose the business to the City of Titusville.

Fortunately, he won them over and was able to create his business in Downtown Titusville with the city’s support. The shop partners and shares a building with the downtown welcome center. Overfelt’s wife, Carrie Overfelt, is the co-owner of the business and is in charge of taking care of day-to-day activities.

According to the couple, Coast to Coast Bicycle Co. aims to bring the community together through the fun of cycling. To accomplish this, they hold free community bike rides every Wednesday. They also support and participate in various activities around the community by partnering with multiple companies to help create a cycling community for Titusville. Along with DOUG OVERFELT, OWNER CARRIE OVERFELT, CO-OWNER

SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

the support of Playalinda Brewing Company, they have held multiple ride-and-brews to support various causes. They have also partnered with the Titusville fire department and the River View Pilot Club to hold free helmet fittings and bicycle repairs for kids. The bicycle company also assists the community by offering bicycle repairs to those homeless people of Downtown Titusville whose primary mode of transportation is a bicycle.

ambassador for Titusville,” he said.

Hall promotes the shop to people looking for activities in Titusville, especially those interested in the bike trails. The chamber hosted a bike ride as part of the grand opening for the East Coast Greenway bike trail.

but people from all over Florida and around the world support the cycling shop when they come in town. He attributes their enthusiasm to the safe, off-road trails Titusville offers, and the fact that he and his wife love cycling and the community.

Through its participation in this event, Coast to Coast Bicycle Co. was given the opportunity to promote cycling within the community. This particular

FOR MORE INFORMATION WEBSITE: biketitusville.com

event had over 500 cyclists and the

LOCATION: 419 S Hopkins Avenue,

As a member of the Chamber of

chamber, with the support of Coast to

Commerce of Titusville, Coast to

Coast, has since established this bike

PHONE: (321) 607-6208

Coast Bicycle Co. has built a symbiotic

ride as an annual event.

FACEBOOK: CoasttoCoastBicycleCo

relationship with the chamber, which operates the downtown welcome center where the shop is located.

Business has boomed through the promotion and connections that the chamber provides, Doug Overfelt said.

“Nicole Hall is an incredible asset in the chamber for us because she is an

Titusville, FL 32796

“People in the city like to do outdoor activities nowadays, so it has helped our business a lot,” Doug Overfelt said.

The boom in cycling is not only attributed to bike trails that have been created, but also the community.

Doug Overfelt says not only locals,

# L A U N C H F R O M H E R E

AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Rich in history, nature, recreation and technology, Titusville is the place to begin your visit, your business, your career, your family, your life.

Today Titusville and the surrounding area includes many of our highest-visibility corporate neighbors, and we're on the move.

The economy is ramping up (along with our rocket launches), and three major cycle trails converge right here. Keep watching.

Begin to make connections that can make a difference.

Start Here

Marcia Gaedcke Gaedcke@Titusville.org

CIT Y OF

F L O R I DA

Edyie McCall Edyie.McCall@Titusville.com

Troy Post, CEcD, CBE Troy.Post@BrevardFL.gov

LAUNCH FROM HERE is a community-forward initiative to help tell the story of Titusville and provide a vital and united way to bring greater attention to its unique accomplishments, places, people and opportunities.

JULY 2019

Building a Future for 35 Years RUSH’s New Divisions Uphold Enduring Values

By Meaghan Branham Driving, windows down, over the Indian River on the last stretch of the NASA Parkway, it’s hard not to notice as the horizon suddenly gives way to a spectacular view. Towering over visitors from all over the world at a height of more than 153 feet, the space shuttle’s iconic orange external tank welcomes you to the Kennedy Space Center.

For visitors, it calls to mind the legendary, larger-than-life missions of Neil Armstrong and Eileen Collins. But for Space Coast natives, it conjures up memories of sitting on a lawn chair in a yard on a warm summer night, following the shuttle through a sunset-colored sky.

Just a bit further down the road sits the headquarters of RUSH Construction Inc., which happens to manage the shuttle landing facility through RUSH Facilities, part of the RUSH family of companies.

Working so closely to what its leaders regard as a reminder of both the legacy of Central Florida and the heart of its residents, RUSH is doing its part to lay the foundation for the next stages.

On the Pulse of Change Al Forbes, the executive vice president of

(L to R) Al Forbes, William Chivers, and Tony Landry, President of RUSH Marine

SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

RUSH Construction, recalls the buzzing energy of the community decades ago.

“What we are seeing with healthcare, Port Canaveral and privatizing of the space industry — I do not see it slowing down anytime soon. Remember what it was like during the Apollo program?

Multiply that by four and that’s what’s going to happen around here.”

As Central Florida keeps its pace, more industries join aerospace to diversify the area’s portfolio — with changes that might otherwise take decades happening in just a few years. According to a survey conducted by the Kauffman Foundation and reported in the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando’s metro area placed No. 4 in the nation for its density of high-growth companies in the health industry, while already-established entities such as Orlando Health and AdventHealth are announcing expansions and new facilities at an astonishing pace.

Tourism, which has always been a stronghold of Central Florida’s economy, is hitting its stride as well, with an unprecedented 126 million visitors to the state and 72 million to Central Florida in 2018 alone. RUSH is paying attention to those numbers and has been for quite some time.

Before 2013, RUSH was primarily a federal government contractor. When aerospace and defense budgets seemed to dry up overnight, the company found itself looking to branch out. President and CEO William Chivers met with Forbes, whose experience as the manager of facility construction with Wuesthoff Health Systems in Rockledge and another area general contractor would prove invaluable in their ensuing partnership.

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

“When Forbes joined our team, this allowed us to grow our limited healthcare work into one of our primary markets,” Chivers said.

“The company has evolved from a government aerospace/defense contractor into a diversified firm that handles construction and management of medical, commercial, marine and other kinds of facilities,” Forbes said. In recent years, growth has been just as explosive for RUSH as it has been for

Business Feature

(L to R) RUSH Construction's William Chivers, President & CEO, and Al Forbes, Executive Vice President

the industries it serves.

RUSH employed almost 30 people by the end of 2017, and that number has almost tripled today. When a national peer group of construction companies whom RUSH regularly hosts returned to Central Florida for its first visit since February 2017, Chivers cautioned the visitors: “You’re going to recognize the building, you’ll recognize the faces, but you won’t recognize the company.”

The New Industries: Marine & Facilities The two newest expansions, RUSH Marine and RUSH Facilities, are only 18 months old but have proved to be a catalyst for evolution.

On the Space Coast, RUSH announced one of its biggest undertakings to date just last fall. In August 2018, RUSH Marine – led by Tony Landry – was awarded the marine works package for the new Cruise

Terminal 3, a $38.6 million contract.

To house the newest and largest ship in the Carnival Cruise fleet, RUSH will be completing the construction of the berth where the ship will dock. The $163 million construction project, the largest in the history of Port Canaveral, is slated for completion in the spring of 2020.

“Their goal is to be one of the top, if not the top, cruise destinations in the world, and we’re heavily involved in seeing that

JULY 2019

Business Feature

become a reality,” Chivers said.

RUSH Facilities, part of the RUSH family of companies and led by Bob Dillow, is just as active, managing and maintaining Space Florida’s Space Port Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. “We are on the front lines of what’s happening at the Space Center,” Forbes said. “We’re going to see launches every week, both vertical and horizontal, and the most exciting part of that is, it’s all going to

happen right here. It’s manufactured, launched and landed right here.”

Toward the Future May 2019 marked the start of the celebration for RUSH's 35th Anniversary year, with plenty of accomplishments to toast. But Chivers and Forbes are not planning to slow down. On the contrary, their focus is on the many more milestones ahead.

“The goal is that the c om p a ny c ont i nue s for many generations to come,” Chivers said.

If they have anything to say about it, those generations will not only be a part of shaping RUSH’s legacy, they will be shaped by it.

(L to R) William Chivers, Bob Dillow, President of RUSH Facilities, and Al Forbes

SPACECOAST B US IN E SS

|

“I always tell this story,” Chivers said, prefacing his next statement with a smile. “It sums us up so well. One day, at a staff meeting, I asked everybody in the room,

SPAC E C OAST BU S I NES S .CO M

‘What do we do?’ Everyone’s answer was pretty similar: ‘We build stuff.’ And I told them, ‘That's not correct.’ We build things that make a difference.’”

For Central Florida’s future as a hub of innovation in health care, technology and other industries, that difference is exciting. But for that of the engineer driving over the NASA Parkway each day, and for the little ones at home who will run outside one summer night to watch a launch their parents made possible, that difference means everything.

“I was born here in Brevard County, and it’s always been my home,” Chivers said.

“My daughter and her husband live here.

I have two grandkids who live here. To see the change in the community — which I know is going to provide a better quality of life for them, more things for them to do and more opportunities — is incredibly rewarding.”

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

From Left: David M. Alpizar - Attorney, O. John Alpizar - Attorney, Alexa A. Moia - Attorney, Scott D. Alpizar - Attorney

There is a reason Alpizar Law is Brevard’s choice for legal help following a car accident. Our law firm has specialized experience in handling a wide variety of personal injury claims, with an emphasis on auto and trucking accidents, wrongful death claims, motorcycle accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and catastrophic injury claims. Our focus is on service to our family and friends in Brevard during their time of need. Alpizar Law’s personal commitment to every case centers around teamwork.

This consists of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants and support staff working together to improve productivity on every client’s case by treating each one as a top priority and giving your case its best chance at success. Personal attention and compassion toward each and every client is essential for this team philosophy to work. Your case is important to you and is equally important to us!

Founded 1983

321.676.2511

As one of Brevard’s oldest personal injury law firms, Alpizar Law has the resources and proven track record to combat the distractions and excuses expected by insurance companies. While no two cases are alike, our attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience which ensures each client is getting a wide range of knowledge, experience and dedication to their case.

Since every case is unique, our team is meticulous in its investigative and case-building efforts, preparing each case as if it will go to trial.

Alpizar Law is prepared to fight for your rights and aggressively seek the fair reimbursement you deserve.

The first name Brevard remembers to call after a car accident – Alpizar Law. We’re Here for You!

AlpizarLaw.com

1528 Palm Bay Road, NE Palm Bay, FL 32905

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Jessica Lynn Silva, Esquire Estate Planning and Probate Attorney Jessica practices as an Attorney in the areas of Estate Planning and Estate/Trust Administration (probate).

In addition, Jessica is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator. Prior to joining Panouses Law Group, Jessica was Judicial Assistant to Brevard County Judge, David E. Silverman, for four years.

Before practicing law, Jessica garnered legal experience through her previous roles as a Civil Litigation Paralegal, Real Estate Paralegal, Certified Notary Signing Agent, Real Estate Agent, Florida Mortgage Broker, Real Estate Investor and Property Manager.

321.729.9455 (Office) 321.474.2034 (Cell)

Within the legal community, Jessica participates in the Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court; Brevard County Bar Association; and the Brevard County Association for Women Lawyers, organizations designed to promote legal excellence, professionalism and ethics. Jessica truly enjoys assisting each client and considers it her pleasure to serve your legal needs.

jessica@panouseslaw.com

jessicalynnsilva.com panouseslawgroup.com

310 Fifth Avenue Indialantic, FL 32903

Michael P. Sapourn Attorney

“When your insurance company doesn’t play fair, call Michael Sapourn.” Sapourn spent 23 years running a large, privately-held insurance brokerage in the Washington D.C. area. He moved to Florida in 2002, and held the public adjuster license for seven years.

Hired by other attorneys for his insurance expertise, Sapourn has been qualified as an expert in federal and state court in the areas of bad faith insurance claims practices, insurance agent’s standard of care and insurance policy interpretation.

321.537.3175

Sapourn brings his customer orientation as a businessperson to his law practice. He takes a personal interest in every client and moves his cases along with the same energy that he brought to his many business enterprises. Through his attention to case management, no case will “linger” in the legal process if he can help it.

michael@sapournlaw.com

34 : SPAC E C OAST B US I N E S S

|

TheFloridaInsuranceLawyer.com

S PAC E C OAST BUS INES S .CO M

100 Rialto Place, Ste. 700 Melbourne, FL 32901

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

PLATT HOPWOOD RUSSELL & COLE PERSONAL INJURY • FAMILY LAW • CRIMINAL DEFENSE From Left: Kurt A. Russell, Billie Jo Hopwood, Jack Platt, Tiffani R. Cole Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole is Brevard’s hometown law firm consisting of partners that were born and raised here.

Their dedication to the citizens of Brevard County is strong and born out of their roots in the community. The lawyers at Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole have spent their professional lives fighting for the rights of their clients in auto accidents/personal injury, divorce, family law, criminal and traffic matters.

Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole is proud of their reputation as tough litigators and advocates for people who need legal services throughout Florida’s Space Coast region.

Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole has earned this reputation client by client, handling each case as thoughtfully and aggressively as they would their own. In the battle for your rights, experience matters.

are ready and willing to fight for their clients. This affects how they pursue their case. If they know your lawyer will accept a mediocre result rather than take a case to trial, a mediocre result is likely what you will get. When the opposition sees you are represented by Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole, they know your attorney is willing to fight and they take your case more seriously. Even if you do not end up taking your case to trial, knowing that the lawyers at Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole are prepared to do so often results in a better outcome.

Everyone deserves justice and Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole makes sure you get it. Platt Hopwood Russell & Cole offers a free consultation in the areas of auto accidents/personal injury, divorce, family law, criminal and traffic matters.

The opposition - whether it’s an insurance company, a prosecutor or your spouse’s lawyer – knows which firms

321.725.3425

platthopwoodattorneys.com

175 E. Nasa Blvd., Ste. 300 Melbourne, FL 32901

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

Brett J. Miller is the founding and managing partner of DSK Law’s Melbourne office, which opened in July 2018. Having grown up in Satellite Beach, Florida, Brett is grateful to once again call Brevard County home after nearly a sixteen-year hiatus.

With a pre-law background in business, Brett serves as outside general counsel for a number of companies in various industries, including construction, real estate and medical services. As general counsel, Brett regularly advises his clients on a variety of legal issues ranging from new venture planning and contract negotiations to employee wage disputes and workers’ compensation claims.

Much of Brett’s practice is devoted to representing businesses and individuals in complex commercial, civil and appellate litigation. The diversity of cases Brett has litigated is fairly broad. Among them are matters

concerning

contamination,

environmental

insurance

coverage,

securities fraud, non-compete agreements, commercial leases, construction liens and defects, mortgage foreclosures, ad valorem tax assessments, trusts and estates, and civil

Brett J. Miller

rights.

Outside of work, Brett is active in the

Partner

community. He presently serves on the Board

of

Directors

and

Governance

Committee for the Brevard Achievement Center, Inc.; the Community Foundation for Brevard’s Scholarship Review and Grant Review

Committees;

the

Melbourne

Chamber’s ENGAGE Young Professionals 321.421.5529

Committee; LEAD Brevard’s Action Project Task Force; and the Civil Service Board for

bmiller@dsklawgroup.com

the Town of Indialantic, Florida.

In his free time, Brett strives to be on the

dsklawgroup.com

water in any capacity. He also enjoys fixing up old boats and surfboards. His most

3999 N. Harbor City Blvd.

Melbourne, FL 32935

cherished time, however, is spent with his wife, Dr. Stacie Miller, and Jack Russell, Bailey.

36 : SPAC E C OAST B US I N E S S

|

S PAC E C OAST BUS INES S .CO M

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Blake Stewart, Esquire Managing Partner

321.541.6845

Staff@StewartLawCS.com

contracts. Stewart appreciated big corporate law but felt that his passion for helping others was not fully being satisfied. Shortly after meeting his wife, Desire’, they both decided to take the opportunity to start Stewart’s own firm, known now as Stewart Law in Viera. Stewart enjoys combining his diverse set of skills to best advocate for his clients in the realm of business, contracts, and construction law.

realhurricanelawyer.com

7341 Office Park Place, Ste. 202 Melbourne, FL 32940

I N T E R N S WA N T E D !

GRAPHIC DESIGN SALES PUBLISHING APPLY TODAY! Search Space Coast Magazines on Indeed.com

335 Pineda Court Ste. 101-104, Melbourne, FL 32940

321.622.5986

JULY 2019 : 37

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

First-generation American, multi-faceted, life-long learner these descriptions hardly touch the surface when describing Attorney Blake Stewart. Growing up in South Florida, his father had a 37-year long career in law enforcement that first stirred young Stewart’s curiosity for the legal world. Stewart worked as a certified-mechanic, roofer, surveyor, and other jobs to pay the bills through college. After arduously working roofs in a Florida summer, Stewart decided to set his sights to getting his law degree. As a fresh law school graduate, he landed his first position at a Fortune 500 company negotiating foreign and domestic

EXALTING FREEDOM

THROUGH ETHICAL CAPITALISM

SPACEPRENEURS

By Jeff Piersall & Eric Wright

How and Why Entrepreneurialism Will Change Space “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Jeff Piersall

Eric Wright

The words of Neil Armstrong, as he took his first steps onto the lunar surface, may be the most famous and most widely celebrated phrase of the 20th century. They weren’t intended to rally a nation to war, like Roosevelt’s “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself,” or express our collective grief, as did Lincoln’s 19th century memorial to the horrific losses at Gettysburg. It was, instead, to chronical an audacious accomplishment.

The plaque Armstrong and Aldrin left behind on the moon read: “We came in peace for all mankind.” It was not a celebration of individual achievement (though it eclipsed the feats of Lindberg and others) or even of an individual nation (though all Americans look on it with pride), it was something every human on the planet shared. Quite a few of our readers, as well as this author, were there to watch the Saturn V lift off 50 years ago this month. Four days later, the world fixed their attention on the grainy images being sent from nearly a quarter

of a million miles away, as Armstrong stepped down the ladder and onto the moon. Around the globe, people gazed, spellbound, at their television screens, or gathered with throngs to see projected on giant screens, humans reaching a goal that defied imagination.

Not since that time has the nation, or for that matter the world, been as captivated by the frontiers of space — until now. Once more the Siren call of space is not just beckoning the few, but the many.

The Differentiator The real difference this time is the quest for space and the daring innovation of the entrepreneurial spirit have become inseparable. Why will that change everything?

1. The Risk & Reward of Investment: Though America and other nations will always need governmental support for our space efforts, today private investors are risking their capital for the opportunities space will afford. According to some

analysts that global market could be $1 Trillion by 2040 (FYI the global automobile industry was $121 Billion in 2017 and fell slightly in 2018). Every year NASA must fight for its budget, competing against infrastructure, military appropriations or health care spending. Putting people on Mars, when my street isn’t paved or I need cataract surgery, is an argument NASA has never been able to completely win. With private investment, which also means private job creation, that argument becomes mute.

2. NASA becomes the FAA of space: Rather than having to be the American, Delta or Southwest airline of space, NASA can focus on facilitating and providing strategic research for the private sector. Also, as commercial space becomes ubiquitous, the need for scientific advances (like warp-drive, haha) to support that growth and demand, along with some kind of non-military regulatory body is self-evident.

The two most recognizable Spacepreneurs, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, made their billions in industries that didn’t exit when I was in college, which begs the question about what the future will hold.

For you who are skeptical, I close recalling conversations with my grandmother, who remembered the first time she saw a Model T Ford, a Bell telephone and an airplane. But she lived to see her son become part of a team that put men on the moon. It all happened in her lifetime, what might happen in ours?

Trep Talk is the educational platform of Jeff Piersall and Eric Wright; for more information visit www.linkedin.com/company/trep-talks-ec

3. Competition and Innovation: One has only to look at the evolution of the digital cell phone, in a little over 20 years, to see what could happen with space flight, if the ingenuity of the global marketplace was brought to bear on this opportunity.

JULY 2 019 : 39

BEST PRACTICE

RETIREMENT

Jason PRESTWOOD I am dedicated to helping our clients develop financial and investment strategies that line up with their needs, goals and risk tolerance. My mission is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial advice and portfolio analysis, delivered with the highest level of personal service and professional integrity.

COUNTDOWN TO EXIT HOW TO PLAN A RETIREMENT TIMELINE Retirement planning can be challenging, but creating a timeline can help ensure your savings stay on track. Here are some expert tips for helping to ensure your retirement plans are on schedule at every stage.

Set an income goal, and know that it could change. For younger workers, it can be difficult to determine how much income will be needed in retirement and how much their income will increase over their lifetime. Many people start out looking at an income replacement ratio of around 80%. That said, when you’re younger, 80% of your income is not going to be close to 80% of your income at retirement. That will change over time.

It’s important to set goals early in your retirement planning process. However, be prepared to revisit them frequently as you get closer to retirement, and work with your financial advisor to make your goals as realistic as possible.

Plan to increase your savings rate. If you’re 20 40 : SPAC E C OAST B US I N E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S INES S .CO M

years old, a savings goal of 10% of your current salary per year is a good start. By age 30 you should be putting away at least 15% per year.

If you have access to a qualified employersponsored retirement plan (QRP), such as a 401(k) or 403(b), start there. If your employer offers matching contributions, consider contributing at least as much as the match.

This is free money you don’t want to pass up, and it can help you get to the right percentage.

At the same time, consider a Roth IRA or, if available, the designated Roth account option in your 401(k) for their potential taxfree distributions.

Your savings rate should increase as you age; at the same time, you should explore additional investment options so you’re getting the most benefit now and when you’re in retirement.

Sketch out how long you could be in retirement. When creating a retirement timeline, one of the most difficult factors is

estimating how long you can expect to be in retirement. We suggest planning for 20 to 30 years but strongly recommend a contingency plan in case something forces you into an unexpected early retirement, such as health problems, perhaps, or an unforeseen layoff.

One way of thinking that can help you get there: plan to retire at age 55. This will allow you to be prepared for unanticipated events, and any money you make by working past that age will be a bonus.

Set the steps to reach your goals. If you’ve gotten a late start on retirement planning, or if you’re rethinking your timeline around a plan to retire at age 55, there are effective actions you can take now to help pursue your goals.

Keeping a budget is essential. As part of that budgeting, be sure to look at your discretionary spending. If you’ve been supporting children through college, once they become independent, it might be tempting to reallocate that money to exotic travel or home renovations—but it’s your retirement fund that should get the first deposit.

budget. Your financial advisor can help guide this conversation.

A final tip for those in their 60s: You may want to withdraw money earlier than you think. If the bulk of your money is in qualified retirement plans or IRAs, most of the money you’ll receive in retirement is taxable—you can even bump yourself into a higher tax bracket. At age 70½, required minimum distributions (RMDs) kick in, so if you’re retired at age 62, for example, take some money out then—this will lessen the impact of larger distributions later on.

DISCLOSURE: This advertisement was written by [Wells Fargo Advisors] and provided to you by [Jason Prestwood, Financial Advisor].

Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2018 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

CAR Approval Number: 0218-01932 CAR Expiration Date: 9/01/19

No matter when you start, planning a retirement timeline is effective only if you budget for saving—and stick with that

TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE

JULY 2019 : 41

BEST PRACTICE

INNOVATION

David VOLK David Volk has been a Brevard County Commercial Litigation Lawyer for thirty-two years. He worked in his family’s blue-collar businesses from age twelve through law school and also has an accounting degree. Volk Law Offices is in its twenty-fifth year of service in Brevard County. .

THE BIG RISK! ARE YOU MELTING AWAY? The big risk in business is complacency. Merriam Webster defines complacency as “self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.”

Imagine the following scenario. Complacent, high-revenue business owner Curt Bigpants walks into his CPA and financial advisor’s office.

The conversation goes like this: CPA: “Your financials have a lot of areas for concern!”

Curt Bigpants: “Cool. Did I tell you about my new boat?”

Curt Bigpants is complacent.

What is the theme for those that survive and thrive? Companies and people that embrace lifelong learning are survivors who keep climbing.

They constantly consider their strengths and weaknesses rather than surrendering to preening vanity. They enhance their strengths and

42 : SPACE C OAST B U SI N E S S

|

S PAC E C OAST BUS INES S .CO M

minimize or eliminate their weaknesses. Is your business doing great? Create a business plan or a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) so you can see clearly where you are and where you want to go.

You should view your work as a sport where you continuously try to get better. If you don’t, you are like a melting ice cube. Melting ice cubes gradually lose effectiveness, and eventually lose the power to affect the situation for which they are needed. The melting ice cube also dilutes the strength of its environment. How do they dilute their environment? Everyone affects others around them.

You can lift others up or drag them down by the example you set.

An Innovation Mentality The innovation mentality is valuable. In an October 2017 interview with Wall Street Journal, Barry Diller refers to the ice cube concept, stating that companies he was involved in acquiring worked better as independents, rather than under a large corporate structure.

you do better and faster. Stand out from the crowd. If you have production responsibilities, exceed them.

Have a sense of urgency. Always remember, people are counting on you to be a winner.

He said, "if you really want a company to continue to innovate, they've got to be on their own melting ice cube."

Those acquisitions obviously had an innovative mentality. If they quit trying to innovate, they lose what makes them special.

An individual, just like a company, can also melt away. So, innovate or melt away. You must continue to improve; if you don't, others will, and they will pass you by.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking 'everything is going great for me!' There may be a lot going your way, but if you don't innovate, it won't last forever. Successful companies innovate. How do you personally innovate? Work diligently at doing everything

Is your server protected?

Research has shown that the typical water heater can lose 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per year due to leaks

JULY 2 019 : 43

BEST PRACTICE

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Lynda L. WEATHERMAN Lynda L. Weatherman is the president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. She administers all operations and provides strategic direction to an organization responsible for a $2 million budget within a 1,557-square-mile area that is the Palm Bay-MelbourneTitusville MSA.

REPEATING HISTORY THE BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD FOR THE SPACE COAST On the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, Florida’s Space Coast is set to make history again through the determination of our community.

Fifty years ago, an estimated 650 million people tuned in to watch as Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the moon. 109 hours and 42 minutes earlier, the beaches of Florida’s Space Coast were packed and the eyes of the world were perched on our coast as Apollo 11 launched into history from Pad 39A. More than just history launched that day. Apollo 11 proved to the world that America was the leader in space exploration, and that the Space Coast was its epicenter. In these fifty years, there have been ups, and there have been downs, but to the world, Florida’s Space Coast is where man’s journey to the unknown begins.

Our journey is still going. Today, we are poised to make history again, fueled by private industry and innovators that know no boundaries. However, nearly 10 years ago – as the Shuttle program 44 : SPACE C OAST B U S I N E SS

|

SPAC E C OAST BU S INES S .CO M

took its final flight amid the great recession – the Space Coast was left asking “now what?”

Since 2010, EDC project announcements have led to 8,718 new jobs and 7,309 retained jobs.

Our coast’s economic story is gaining national attention. Recent coverage has included an article in The Washington Post and an on-air segment on the nationally syndicated Fox News.

However, our story is not finished. Here are a few ways the EDC and our partners are building a new history on Florida’s Space Coast:

Diversification Our economy is now more diversified than ever.

We have a robust manufacturing industry that is poised for future growth and strong aviation and high-technology clusters that add to our

complex business climate. The EDC focuses many efforts on diversification, which have led to such announcements as the attraction of several Embraer facilities throughout the county, and the 2008 announcement from Lockheed Martin that the production and assembly of the Crew Exploration Vehicle and its subordinate components would take place on the Space Coast.

Until that time, our beaches served as a launch location, yet not a single space exploration vehicle had been manufactured within Florida’s borders.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE F O R B R E VA R D.

*

Knowing our strengths A decade ago, job loss numbers were in the thousands here on the Space Coast. By turning this challenge into opportunity, the EDC recruited industry complementary to the skill-sets of displaced employees. In addition, our readily accessible launch facilities provided critical resources to the emergence of commercial launch providers. The EDC continues to promote key assets such as these, and others, to attract and retain industry throughout the Space Coast.

*

Knowing our challenges With a continuous low unemployment rate, talent attraction is more important – and tougher – than ever before. The EDC is combatting this challenge through several initiatives including our Manufacturing Workforce Program, which is training the next generation of manufacturing talent. In addition, the EDC’s Live Big Space Coast campaign program draws top talent to Brevard to fuel our workforce pipeline.

*

Innovation One area on the rise on the Space Coast is the private tech ecosystem of entrepreneurs and startups. This ecosystem attracted AOL co-founder, Steve Case, and his Rise of the Rest seed fund to the Space Coast on April 30. These small startups fuel our economy through innovation and their efforts lead to new technologies and opportunities within our high-tech industry.

TO LEARN MORE VISIT: FACEBOOK: EDCofFloridasSpaceCoast WEBSITE: SpaceCoastEDC.org

T H E E D C O F F LO R I D A’ S S PA C E C O A S T A N D I T S 1 6 2 CO R P O R AT E I N V E S TO R S

enhance the quality of life in Brevard County, securing economic prosperity for today, and for future generations.

SpaceCoastEDC.org • 321. 638. 2000 6525 3rd Street, Suite 304, Rockledge, FL * Since 2010. Projections reported by company over three-year timeframe from commencement of operations.

JULY 2019 : 45

UPCLOSE with

DALE KETCHAM

[ By Eric Wright, Publisher ]

O

ne of the more farsighted things the state of Florida did was recognize the strategic importance, in terms of geography and infrastructure, that Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center’s

140,000 acres represented, and the future Florida could play in aerospace development. Space Florida was created as a merger of the Florida Space Authority, the Florida Space Research Institute and the Florida Aerospace Finance Corporation in 2006. Dale Ketcham is currently the vice president of Governmental and External Relations at Space Florida and has spent over 30 years at Kennedy Space Center, working with a variety of public and private organizations.

EW: You are one of those rare individuals who both works in the space industry and grew up around the space industry. How did what shaped this area, shape you as an individual?

DK: Our family moved here right when things were getting started in 1955. Therefore, what was happening around us, all of these historic achievements, were the norm for me. It was not until much later that I came to realize just how unique it was.

EW: It was an era of unique accomplishments, wouldn’t you say?

DK: People today don’t grasp that in the 60s we were in a race; a race in which the Soviets seemed to keep beating us to all the early milestones. They scored first with Sputnik, first with Yuri Gagarin and first with several other major thresholds.

One problem we have, in the current era of space development, is everyone judges what followed by what was accomplished in those early years of the space program. But what happened there will, in all likelihood, never happen again. It is the wrong template.

The federal government essentially gave an agency a blank check and said, ‘We don’t care how much it costs, we just care about the outcomes and the schedule.’

EW: I agree, I don’t see that scenario being repeated, but personally, you had to have been caught, to some degree, in that jet stream?

DK: What I recall is playing Little League and the stands were mostly filled with moms, because the dads were working very demanding hours to meet those schedules. I don’t know, but I would guess that divorce rates were higher than in other places and the work

force was somewhat transient. Friends were here while their dads worked a particular program, and then they were gone.

Also, for me, the original seven astronauts were very different than all who followed. There was a real sense that these guys were, first and foremost, test pilots, doing really daring stuff. They lived on the edge, not only in the huge risks they took as the original seven, but from the Corvettes they drove, to the lounges they hung out in. With the possible exception of John Glenn; he was equally daring, just not in the afterhours sense.

Growing up in Cocoa Beach, they inspired me in a slightly different way than people may be inspired by our astronaut corps today.

EW: They were space cowboys, in the sense of the classical American hero epic. And that will probably be another aspect of space development that we will likely never see repeated. Now, Bezos and Musk seem to be the space cowboys.

How has Space Florida developed in that everchanging continuum?

DK: At the end of the day, Space Florida and NASA are simply a means to an end and that very significant end is man’s ongoing exploration and utilization of space. It is going to happen and if we as a nation chose to not do it, there are other nations that will.

Initially, Space Florida focused on facilitating missile launches. There was some success, but we realized that what we needed to be was a space authority, like an airport or port authority. The airport authority doesn’t own or fly planes, Delta and United have planes, they create the type of environment where air travel is safe and convenient. The same with port authorities, they don’t own ships, Disney and Norwegian have ships, they facilitate travel and commerce by ship. ⊲

“People today don’t grasp that in the 60s we were in a race; a race in which the Soviets seemed to keep beating us to all the early milestones.” – Dale Ketcham

EW: So basically, like any other transportation authority, airports, ports or an expressway authority, you are an independent transportation authority?

DK: The state designated us as a special district, like a municipality, and as a part of the state’s transportation network. I think we are the only state that operates this way. We are a public, for-profit entity, though our profit is not cash, but measured for the public good.

As such, we have a number of tools at our disposal to help facilitate the mission of space development in Florida. In particular, we are positioned within the tax code to have innovative capabilities to finance aerospace projects, both facilities and equipment. This enables Florida to compete with other states that just write big checks.

Space Florida's toolkit is best appreciated when we move past the people who are mission focused, to the individuals, like the CFO, the comptroller or the tax attorney, to show them the advantages we can supply, which ultimately impacts their bottom line. What we do is finance facilities and equipment and then we lease these back to the company. That is what we did with Embraer, Northrup Grumman (NG), One Web and Blue Origin.

EW: Like Port Canaveral would finance and build a terminal and lease it back to a cruise line?

DK: How each authority operates is different, but essentially yes. There are specific programs that the state wants to encourage, and, for instance, Northrup Grumman’s design center was one of those programs.

Because we own the facility and lease it to NG, it is exempt from certain tax rolls, which along with the fact that it is a lease, gave NG a competitive advantage. It was a spectacular win for the state. Same with Blue Origin, they built the building, we financed it and own it, and lease it back to them. The state put in money,

but Blue Origin put in a lot more money and then it was given to the state.

Also, it is important to mention that we only do these types of projects on public land, lest we compete unfairly against the interests of private landowners and developers. We can, based on the statue, but we have chosen not to.

EW: In space development there hasn’t been a Sutter’s Mill experience, outside of the benefits of communication and weather satellites, that will bring the ROI that is being talked of. Do you see that coming?

DK: We are seeing the slow development of a new economy. Made in Space is a Jacksonville company that makes fiber optic cable in space, which is much purer than anything we can make in gravity. We hoped the International Space Station would bring many products like this, but offsetting that has been the flood of knowledge we have gained about what it means for humans to live and work in space. This is as essential as inventing the compass and the clock was to navigate the seas.

EW: What do you see as the future of the Cape and KSC? DK: Years ago, the whole Space Center was master planned by NASA and the Air Force. The plan identified they both would become tenants of a center operated by a space port authority, like all our ports and airports are. That is the best way for everyone to stay focused on what each does best. It isn’t best for the FAA to run airports or NASA space ports. Already with the rise of SpaceX and Blue Origin we are beginning to see the wisdom of their foresight, but it will be an evolutionary process. But it is a process we need to start working on now.

© 2015 Southwest Airlines Co.

Without a Heart, it’s just a machine.

So in 1971, a little Heart built a different kind of airline—one that made sure everyone could fly.

Everyone has important places to go. So we invented low-fares to help them get there.

To us, you’re not 1A or 17B. You’re a person with a name, like Steve.

Here, we think everyone deserves to feel special, no matter where you sit or how much you fly.

And with all the places we’re going next, we’ll always put you first, because our love of People is still our most powerful fuel.

Some say we do things differently.

We say, why would we do things any other way?

Without a Heart, it’s just a machine.

JULY 2019

SPACEPRENEURS

Changing The Way Space Is Done