Wed, Nov 12, 2008
Will Help Develop LC-36 For Commercial Ops
Space Florida announced Monday the recent appointment of Mark
Bontrager as vice president of spaceport operations for the growing
aerospace economic development organization.
In this role, Bontrager will lead the development of the
organization's spaceport holdings. Specifically, he will serve as a
key resource in the development of Launch Complex 36, two
multi-vehicle launch pads located at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station. Earlier this year, the US Air Force announced a formal
intent to lease the complex to Space Florida for build out of a
commercial pad by the end of 2010.
In addition to managing the development of LC-36, Bontrager will
also be responsible for managing other Space Florida holdings on
Florida's East Coast, including LC-46, LC-47, the Shuttle Landing
Facility/Hangar, Space Life Sciences Laboratory (SLSL) and both
Space Florida Brevard County campuses.
He will also focus on strengthening Florida's overall position
in the global aerospace industry by working with business
development to attract new businesses into the area and strengthen
relationships with current aerospace players across the state.
"Mark has an impressive career in the United States Air Force
and a keen understanding of their processes when it comes to space
exploration and launch," noted Space Florida President Steve
Kohler. "His proven record of leadership in military space launch
will serve as a key asset to our organization's growth and
success."
Bontrager holds more than 20 years of expertise in the US Air
Force. Prior to joining Space Florida, he served as a colonel and
commander of the 45th Mission Support Group at Patrick Air Force
Base, which provides critical support to military space launch
operations as well as commercial, NASA and ballistic missile
launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Colonel Bontrager
also served as chief of the Assured Access Operations Division at
Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colorado.
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