Susan Nelson

Reporting directly to the U.S. Managing Director, lead all aspects of government affairs and industry relations for civil and national security pursuits. Lead the business development team on all aspects of new and existing business, to include sales, overseeing proposals, and capture management.

• Managed strategic relationships as primary liaison to Executive Branch, including Office of Management and Budget, NASA, U.S. Space Force, Defense Innovations Unit, and Department of Transportation, influencing policy and funding decisions.
• Company lead for all interactions and relationships with Members of Congress, personal and committee office staff.
• Established first official business development and government relations function, guiding strategic pursuits with civil and national security customers, enhancing organizational visibility and engagement.
• Leading, managing, and overseeing relationships with media organizations and serve as strategic communications lead for the Company.

Support government affairs and industry relations for aerospace and defense, telecommunications, and high-tech clients by advising on policy and legislation that influenced business strategies. Clients include:

• Represent clients on Capitol Hill, with Executive Branch stakeholders, including at NASA, FAA, Space Council, and DoD, and with relevant trade associations.
• Support CEOs and senior business leaders in meetings with key stakeholders in state governments, in the Executive Branch, and on Capitol Hill.
• Developed white papers, letters, bills, and report language to communicate key issues and advocate for client interests.
• Confidential client – strictly advise on civil and national security space policy and provide competitive intelligence on aerospace and defense industry
• C2 Strategies, LLC
• Motiv Space Systems
• Revolution Space
• United Launch Alliance, LLC
• Oceaneering

Company lead for all U.S. Government Affairs strategy development and execution, to include the establishment of a state and local affairs function. Led the Government Affairs effort with the Chief Legal Office to establish the Company's first-ever Political Action Committee (PAC). Advised executive leadership on U.S. policy relevant to corporate pursuits. Government Affairs lead for industry stakeholder engagement, to include execution of Viasat strategy with trade associations. Primary liaison with Members of Congress, Governors, and Executive Branch.

• Led Viasat's government affairs strategy to influence major legislation, protecting the Company's long-term commercial business goals.
• Collaborated with Social Impact team to align corporate giving with key corporate strategies, establishing Viasat's role in South Carolina's Plugged-In program, providing connectivity to 100 families.
• Directed establishment and execution of cross-functional collaboration, managing business area experts, social impact, and communications to ensure alignment with Company's strategic initiatives.

Led strategy for industry customer and government stakeholders, advising leadership on science and technology, workforce, and national security policy while establishing trusted relationships with key government officials.

• Led and executed the successful DC strategy for the preparation and execution leading to a multi-billion-dollar spacesuit contract award with NASA.
• Cultivated and managed Collins' relationships with Space Development Agency, U.S. Space Force, and National Space Council to enhance collaboration and influence in the space sector.
• P&L designee for capture and proposal efforts for all facets of Sea and Space Systems, to include acting as a strategic advisor on red teams, pink teams and black hats.
• Created PAC strategy for CSSS business unit, aligning initiatives with organizational goals and stakeholder interests.

Chief policy and legislative advisor on NASA activities and DoD launch and propulsion issues, reporting directly to the President of Rocketdyne. Corporate lead for policy awareness and all aspects of government and external relations. Led junior staff on Executive Branch and Congressional strategy development and outreach.

• Drafted language and materials that secured appropriations for multi-billion-dollar programs.
• Led company Washington, D.C. strategy and execution in support of our key launch prime customers.
• Successfully leveraged government and industry relationships to support the Company's goals with key DoD acquisition offices, the Program Executive Officer for launch, and other relevant DoD customers.
• Worked collaboratively with counterparts at four major technology and space companies to co-found an official trade association, now consisting of 45 member companies – Coalition for Deep Space Exploration.
• Supported proposal and capture teams for national security, civil, and commercial pursuits, addressing solid rocket motor industrial base issues with Congress and key Executive Branch stakeholders.
• Led campaign for Company CEO's successful nomination to Executive Office of the President's National Space Council User Advisory Group.

Acted as primary liaison for external stakeholders in Congress, Executive Branch, industry, and trade associations, managing policy for Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations and the Administrator's Suite. Expertly advising leadership on congressional issues and engagement. Directed Accomplishments and duties included, but not limited to:

• Developed and implemented Congressional strategy, leading to the overwhelming passage of the 2005 and 2008 NASA Authorization Acts.
• Led a cross-functional team consisting of representatives from General Counsel, Communications, Procurement, Exploration, and Legislative Affairs for the development of a nationwide, web-based supplier tool used for the purpose of gaining programmatic champions at the state and federal levels.
• Defined role for Industry Relations and State/Local outreach within Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs, leading stakeholder engagement with senior industry executives and Agency leadership.
• Created background and strategic messaging materials for confirmation hearings of incoming Administrator, contributing to unanimous confirmation from United States Senate.

• Worked in Washington, DC and District offices for four House Members, supporting their Congressional and constituent-focused agendas in Congress. Advised on constituent and district activities, developed letters and legislative memos to inform Members, represented Members at district events to include awards ceremonies and public speaking.
• Appropriations Chairman C.W. Bill Young, FL-10; Rep Mark Neuman, WI-1; E.G. Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bud Shuster, PA-9; and Representative Dave Weldon, FL-15.