ED MORRIS NAMED OFFICE OF SPACE COMMERCIALIZATION DIRECTOR

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently appointed Edward M. Morris to be the director of the Office of Space Commercialization. The Office of Space Commercialization, part of the NOAA Satellite and Information Service, is the principal unit for the coordination of space-related issues, programs, and initiatives within the Department of Commerce. The goal of the office is to foster an economic and policy environment that ensures the growth and international competitiveness of the U.S. commercial space industry.

“I am excited to welcome Ed Morris to the NOAA team and look forward to working with him closely on Commercial Space activities”, said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., Ph.D, under secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Space-based assets play an integral role in meeting NOAA’s mission and it is vital that we provide the space industry with an environment to flourish and innovate. With the emergence of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, GPS, remote sensing and space transportation, all eyes are turning to the sky. Ed’s extensive background in this arena will prove to be a great asset to NOAA and the space community.”

Prior to his appointment, Morris worked for Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, Va., for 14 years. His most recent position was senior director, Washington D.C. operations responsible to company senior leadership for development and implementation of legislative and policy initiatives. He received the Outstanding Management Award in 2001 in recognition of achieving key company business development goals. In 1997 he was assigned as director of business development for the launch systems group primarily responsible for missile defense, international, and classified program new business opportunities. Other orbital assignments included project management and systems engineering of NASA and commercial launch services valued at $100M.

Morris also served on active duty in the Air Force from 1982 to 1991 in space system acquisition, launch operations and HQ USAF staff positions. He then joined the Air Force Reserve and has served in a variety of staff and personnel assignments attaining the rank of Colonel. Morris is the recipient of a number of military awards and decorations and is a graduate of the Air War College.

Morris graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in engineering in 1982 and received his M.B.A from Pepperdine University in 1986. Morris and his wife, Geary, live in Falls Church, Va.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with our federal partners and 60 countries to develop a global Earth observation network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

On the Web:

Office of Space Commercialization: http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/space//

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov