Camden County Administrator and Spaceport Camden project lead, Steve Howard joined the largest players in the aerospace industry for the first meeting of President Donald Trump’s National Space Council at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

“At President Trump’s direction, the kick-off meeting of the National Space Council will bring together all aspects and sectors of the national space enterprise for the first time in a quarter century,” said Vice President Pence. “This meeting will provide an opportunity for the Administration to lay out its vision for space exploration. As President Trump said, ‘We’re a nation of pioneers, and the next great American frontier is space.’”

National Space Council is chaired by Vice President Mike Pence and is comprised of cabinet secretaries and department heads from across the Executive Branch. Confirmed members of the council include: Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson; Secretary of Defense, James Mattis; Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross; Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao; Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Elaine Duke; Office of Management and Budget Director, Mick Mulvaney; National Security Advisor, H.R. McMaster; Director of National Intelligence, Daniel Coats; Acting NASA Administrator, Robert Lightfoot; Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States, Michael Kratsios; and the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Paul J. Selva.

Howard was joined at the first meeting of the National Space Council by major players in the aerospace industry including: Marillyn A. Hewson, Lockheed Martin President and CEO; Dennis A. Muilenburg, Boeing President and CEO; and David Thompson, Orbital ATK President and CEO; Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and COO; Bob Smith, Blue Origin CEO; and Fatih Ozmen, Sierra Nevada Corporation CEO; Dr. Michael Griffin, Former NASA Administrator; Admiral James Ellis (ret.), Former Commander Strategic Command; and Pamela Melroy, Space Shuttle Commander and former Deputy Director, Tactical Technology Office, DARPA.

“The invitation from the White House to attend this prestigious event is proof positive that Camden County has something special and it is being recognized at the highest levels of our government and among the largest players in the industry,” said Howard. “But more importantly, I believe this opportunity embodies what Spaceport Camden will do for our community. With the right inspiration and plenty of hard work people will take note of Camden County and invest in our future and spur economic opportunities."