A CONVERSATION WITH BILLIE REED
Billie M. Reed has had a long run with the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority, and after leaving his current role, he'll still have ties with the organization.
Executive director of the authority since it was established in 1995, Reed plans to step into a consultant role at the end of July when Dale K. Nash, CEO of Alaska Aerospace, takes over.
Late last year, Gov. Bob McDonnell said space-related ventures contribute $7.6 billion in annual direct economic output, supporting more than 28,000 jobs. The authority receives $1.5 million annually in state funds.
Here, Reed speaks about Virginia's space program, and why he is optimistic about the industry's ability to compete with other markets going forward.
To what capacity do you plan to be involved in the authority upon Dale Nash's arrival?
The board hasn't really established a step down or transition date for me. There will be a short transition period and then I will step into a consultant role.
I'm not totally retiring; the board does not want me to. They have encouraged me to sign a long-term consultancy agreement We are negotiating it right now, but it should be a one- to two-year term. And it's mutual, something we both want to do.