Teledyne Soon to Begin Space-Based Imaging

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – July 2, 2018 – Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) announced today the successful launch of the DLR Earth Sensing Imaging Spectrometer (DESIS) to the International Space Station (ISS) on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.  Over the next three months, the DESIS instrument, designed and built by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), will be installed and tested on Teledyne Brown Engineering’s Multi-User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) aboard ISS.

DESIS is a hyperspectral sensor system with the capability of recording image data using 235 closely arranged wavelength channels across the visible to near-infrared spectra.  With continuous coverage at an altitude approximately 250 miles above the Earth, the DESIS instrument will broaden our knowledge about agriculture, biodiversity, geology, water ecosystems and detect natural or man-made changes to the Earth’s surface.

Teledyne’s MUSES platform was developed as part of a cooperative agreement with NASA to create opportunities for both Government and Commercial applications such as imaging, technology demonstration, and space qualification payloads supporting research, scientific studies and humanitarian efforts.  MUSES provides a precision-pointing environment on the ISS for earth-viewing instruments and it can accommodate up to four payloads simultaneously.  It also offers the ability to robotically retrieve, upgrade, and service those instruments as well as return them to earth. 

“Our partnerships with NASA and DLR expand the commercial use of the ISS and will provide our Governments with unique imaging data,” said Robert Mehrabian, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Teledyne.  “Leveraging the infrastructure of the International Space Station and the remaining available payloads on MUSES, we hope for additional opportunities to support cost effective development and installation of other instruments designed for low earth orbit observation missions.”

About Teledyne Technologies Incorporated

Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems.  Teledyne Technologies’ operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe.  For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies’ website at www.teledyne.com.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Notice

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Many factors could change anticipated results, including funding, continuation and award of government programs, as well as risks associated with government contracts, are identified in Teledyne’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Folk Legend Peter Yarrow Awarded Honorary Rotary Membership for Peaceful Schools Program

PRESS RELEASE FROM: Denver Southeast Rotary Club

Legendary folk singer Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul & Mary, was inducted today to the Denver Southeast Rotary Club as an honorary member in acknowledgement of his partnership with the Club and Rotary District 5450 for The Peaceful Schools Program through Operation Respect.

The Peaceful Schools Program was developed in Denver in the fall of 2013, under the leadership of Rotarian Carole Baumbusch and piloted in 3 classrooms in the spring of 2014. Not only did the classroom teachers and students love the program, but they wanted it back the following fall, as did other teachers. It expanded to 6 schools and multiple classrooms in the 2014/2015 school year and it continues to grow.

“As of February 2016, we are in 15 elementary schools in the area and 50 classrooms teaching important social and emotional skills to more than 750 elementary school children and hundreds of high school students who are trained and delivering the program in these schools. We also have 15-20 additional Rotary clubs currently evaluating the program for implementation in their clubs and local schools in the fall of 2016,” said Baumbusch.

Peter Yarrow had been a champion of the program and instrumental in connecting Rotary to this important cause. Teaching young children to get along peacefully and respect one another is one of the most important lessons they need and perfectly aligns with Rotary’s service mission: to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Club President, Mick Richardson said: “We are exceedingly proud of this effort. Our club is active all over Denver, but this effort is one of our most successful. Peter Yarrow has been at our District Conference promoting involvement and thanks to his ambassadorship, we have built a great team. We are proud to have him as an honorary member.”

In the photos above, Peter receives his honorary Rotarian membership and treats the members to a performance. The students in the background are from Cherry Creek High School's Interact Club, a Rotary high school program. They are some of the people trained to deliver the Peaceful School's message in the elementary schools.

For further information, please contact Kim DeCoste at 303-588-2733

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For more about COBRT's involvement with Peter Yarrow, see this story too.

Colorado Employment Growth to Continue Despite Slight Drop in New Business Formation, Says CU-Boulder Report

Contact:
Richard Wobbekind, Leeds School, 303-492-1147
[email protected]
Brian Lewandowski, Leeds School, 303-492-3307
[email protected]
Elizabeth Lock, CU-Boulder media relations, 303-492-3117
[email protected]
Lynn Bartels, Colorado Dept. of State, 303-860-6903
[email protected]

Jan. 21, 2016

Colorado employment growth to continue despite slight drop in new business formation, says CU-Boulder report

Even with a slowdown in new business filings in Colorado during the fourth quarter of 2015, employment in the state is expected to expand over the first and second quarters of 2016, according to a University of Colorado Boulder report released today by Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams.

The quarterly indicators report, prepared by CU-Boulder’s Business Research Division at the Leeds School of Business, uses data from the secretary of state’s business registry to report correlations between the data and economic metrics.

At 23,306, the fourth-quarter new entity filings were down from 25,164 in the third quarter of 2015 and down from 23,360 at the same time in 2014.

A total of 102,670 new entities were recorded during the 12-month period ending in December 2015.

The number of entities in good standing ticked up 5.5 percent year-over-year to a new record of 601,588.

“Despite a slight decline in business registration, our office continues to help Coloradans achieve their dreams,” said Williams. “For the first time Colorado exceeded a major milestone having over 600,000 business entities in good standing.”

Existing entity renewals in the fourth quarter of 2015 totaled 113,849, which is down from 114,677 in the third quarter of 2015, but up 5.6 percent year-over-year. Total existing entity renewals for the year increased to 463,642 for the 12-month period ending in December.

“Based on economic growth in Colorado and the initial filings, we see continued, but slower, employment growth in the state in the first half of 2016,” said economist Richard Wobbekind, executive director of CU-Boulder’s Business Research Division.

Visit the secretary of state’s website to view current and past reports or to sign up to receive reports by email.

-CU-

Denver Startup Week Announces 2016 Dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brea Olson, @DENStartupWeek, 303.775.4712
[email protected]

DENVER STARTUP WEEK ANNOUNCES 2016 DATES
Fifth annual event will take place throughout Downtown Denver Sept. 12 - 16

DENVER (Jan. 13, 2016) – Denver Startup Week, the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind in North America, will return for a fifth year celebrating everything entrepreneurial in Denver Sept. 12 through 16, 2016. Following 2015’s record-breaking year for both attendance and number of sessions, organizers are focused on continuing to grow the event aimed at helping people succeed in starting and growing a business in Denver.

Organized by the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and co-led by Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, Erik Mitisek, CEO of the Colorado Technology Association, and Ben Deda, COO of Galvanize, Denver Startup Week is focused on highlighting Denver as an entrepreneurial center on the local, regional and national stage, while enhancing community and providing resources for the startup community.

Denver Startup Week attendees can expect five days of curated programs including keynote speakers, panels, pitch-offs, social events and more aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in all stages of business and across all industries. Denver’s entrepreneurial and business community will once again have the opportunity to submit session topic ideas that will be voted by the community-at-large for inclusion in the final schedule of events. Additional information about topic submission will be made available in the spring at denverstartupweek.org.

Denver Startup Week is made possible by Title Sponsors the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association, Chase, Comcast and Ping Identity, in addition to more than 40 community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs.

*Photos from Denver Startup Week are available upon request.

About Denver Startup Week: 
Denver Startup Week, founded in 2012, is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver.  The weeklong event is intended to unite the entrepreneurial community in Denver and celebrate the great companies, innovation and ideas happening in the city and the people and inspiration behind them.  The core programming is centered on the entrepreneurial community with an emphasis in technology, design, social entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business.  Events throughout the week are organized by both the Denver Startup Week Organizing Committee and the community at-large and include sessions, presentations, panels, workshops, happy hours, social events, job fairs and more. Denver Startup Week is made possible by Title Sponsors the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association, Chase, Comcast and Ping Identity, in addition to more than 40 community sponsors and Denver entrepreneurs.

For more information visit www.DenverStartupWeek.org. 

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University of Colorado Economic Study Shows the Oil and Gas Industry is Key to Colorado’s Economic Health and Stability

For Immediate Release
December 29, 2015

Contacts:
Doug Flanders
303-861-0362
[email protected]

Rachel George
[email protected]

New Study Shows Positive Impact of Oil and Gas to Every Coloradan

DENVER (December 29, 2015) – The oil and gas industry in 2014 pumped $31.7 billion into Colorado’s economy, according to a new economic study by the Business Research Division of the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder. The study, released today by the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA), demonstrates the vital role the industry plays in the state’s economy.

Overall, the report found, the industry recorded $15.8 billion in production value, accounting for 38,650 direct jobs with average annual wages in excess of $105,000 —twice the average wage of all industries in Colorado. The total economic impact of the industry was $31.7 billion in 2014, supporting 102,700 jobs and $7.6 billion in compensation.

The report, Oil and Gas Industry Economic and Fiscal Contributions in Colorado by County, 2014, conducted by University of Colorado Boulder researchers Brian Lewandowski and Richard Wobbekind, found that in 2014 the oil and gas industry supported over 100,000 high paying workers and their families.

“The capital investments and industry production create jobs, income, wealth, and taxes, notably concentrated where production exists; however, as tax dollars flow into the state general fund and cash fund, the outflow of these dollars impacts every citizen in the state through investments in education, transportation, and others, “ the report stated.

Dan Haley, President and CEO of COGA said, “The industry’s overall tax bill represents approximately $600 of tax revenue per household in the state, and this does not include the industry’s corporate tax bill. Every Coloradan is positively impacted by this industry, no matter where you live.”

The report also details the significant amount of tax revenue generated by the oil and gas industry for school districts, as well as state and local governments that is well “beyond what other industries contribute. … Ad valorem taxes, for instance, are 3 times higher for oil and gas production than for commercial property within the state and 11 times higher than residential property.”

“Clearly, even as we work through this period of lower commodity prices, the oil and gas industry’s impact on Colorado’s economy is significant,” said Haley. “The industry continues to provide, and support, thousands of good paying jobs in all corners of the state. Governments across Colorado also depend on the oil and gas industry to pay for much-need public services. Without revenue from this industry, we would not be able to provide the necessary funding, or would have to further raise taxes, for public schools, roads, parks, and many other government services that Coloradans depend on.”

The study also found:

·       The oil and gas industry paid over $434.7 million in property taxes in 2014 and accounted for $156 million from the Colorado State Land Board School Trust distribution or 88 percent of the overall distribution of $178 million.

·       Severance tax revenue increased 92.9 percent from 2013 to 2014, generating $330 million in 2014 compared to $171 million in 2013.

·       In total, the oil and gas industry contributed over $1.1 billion in revenues to state and local governments, school districts, and special districts.

·       34 counties had oil production and 38 produced natural gas; 37 of Colorado’s 64 counties recorded taxable oil and gas property.

·       90 percent of Colorado’s taxable oil and gas property is in five counties: Weld, Garfield, La Plata, Rio Blanco and Montezuma.

·       Weld County produces 86 percent of the state’s oil and 25 percent of its natural gas.

·       Weld and Garfield alone accounted for 80 percent of drilling permits in 2014, with Weld having more than 66 percent of all active rigs in the state.

While Weld and Garfield Counties are the leaders in production, Denver, Weld, Mesa, Garfield, and Adams counties are the “center of employment for the industry,” accounting for 79 percent of the total direct jobs. Interestingly, the City and County of Denver had the most direct industry jobs in the state with nearly 13,000 paying over $161,000 dollars a year.

“This study clearly shows that cities and counties that either don’t have or have limited oil and production are reliant on our positive contributions to their community. When any new rules or regulations are being considered that impact oil and gas production, Weld and Garfield Counties’ voices must be heard,” Haley said. “We must avoid the domino effect of production in these two counties being negatively impacted and then the rest of the state’s employment and revenue declining as well.” 

This study used publicly available industry data to quantify the economic impacts of the industry in Colorado by county. The study examined the economic indicators and impacts to the county level, looking at employment, wages, and well activity to economic and fiscal impacts.

Go to the COGA website to see the full report on the 2014 oil and gas industries economic and fiscal contributions in Colorado.

# # #

Colorado Oil & Gas Association Confident Supreme Court Will Rule in Favor of Current Law, Confirming Illegality of Local Oil and Gas Bans

For Immediate Release
 
Contacts:
Doug Flanders
303-861-0362
[email protected]
 
Rachel George
[email protected]
 

 
DENVER (December 9, 2015) – Today, the Colorado Supreme Court heard two appeals challenging the legality of Longmont's ban and Fort Collins' five-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing. 
 
Dan Haley, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA), said “Our attorneys made a strong case based on long-standing legal precedence, and we are confident that the Supreme Court will agree that the ban implemented in Longmont and the Fort Collins' moratorium are illegal and preempted by current law.  We are confident that the Supreme Court will provide further clarity regarding the primacy of the state in oil and gas regulation.”
 
The first case, which was heard at 9 a.m., was the City of Longmont v. Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA) and the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC). The case involved a challenge to the Longmont ban on the use of hydraulic fracturing within its borders as well as the storage of hydraulic fracturing waste. The appeal is from Judge Dolores Mallard’s decision in Boulder County court that Longmont’s ban was operationally preempted by state law because it conflicted with state law.
 
The second case, heard at 10 a.m., was the City of Fort Collins v. COGA. In this case, COGA challenged the validity of Fort Collins’ five-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and the storage of hydraulic fracturing waste within Fort Collins. Judge Gregory M. Lammons in the Larimer County District Court held that Fort Collins’ moratorium was operationally preempted because it conflicted with state law. He also held the city’s five-year ban was impliedly preempted by the 1992 Supreme Court decision in Voss v. Lundvall Brothers. 
 
Haley believes that the court will rule in COGA’s favor and added “While oil and gas was the catalyst for the action, these cases are much more than just about oil and gas.  These two cases truly get to the heart of where the state’s authority ends and local government’s begins. Depending on the outcome, the decisions could have tremendous impact across all businesses in Colorado and how and if they can operate in our communities if certain people just decide they don’t like someone’s business.”
 
The main issues in these cases are the extent to which home rule governments can ban an activity extensively regulated by the state. While local governments can regulate certain aspects of land uses pertaining to hydraulic fracturing operations, COGA argued today to the Supreme Court that they may not ban the activity altogether.
 
Specifically, COGA argued that allowing local governments to enact such bans would contradict the broad language in the Oil and Gas Conservation Act giving the State authority to foster the responsible, balanced development and production of oil and gas in a manner consistent with protection of public health and protective of the environment. 
 
COGA also argued that the bans undermine the extensive regulations of the COGCC, which regulates virtually every aspect of hydraulic fracturing in over two hundred pages of regulations. COGA argued that under well-established Colorado precedent, local governments may not ignore the plain language of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act or the COGCC’s extensive regulation by banning completely the use of hydraulic fracturing within their border.   
Finally, COGA argued that under the 2009 Colorado Supreme Court decision in Colorado Mining Association v. Summit County, Fort Collins and Longmont are impliedly preempted from attempting to ban the use of hydraulic fracturing because of the State’s strong interest in the regulation of oil and gas
 
Haley concludes said that none of this changes what the industry must continue to do, “These cases - and the ultimate outcome -- have not, and will not, change our commitment to Colorado and its communities. We will continue to do the difficult and important work of finding reasonable and workable solutions with our friends and neighbors throughout the state so we can responsibly develop our natural resources.
 
“The oil and gas industry is too critical to the well-being of our state, economically, and to our future, to do anything less. This industry will continue to provide an affordable and reliable domestic supply of energy for everyone - including those who oppose the industry and its employees and families”
 
# # #
 
 

Business Groups Underscore Importance of Fracking Ban Case

Supreme Court Will Decide Whether Local Governments Can Ban Access to Private Property

Contact:
Rich Coolidge
[email protected]
(720) 420-4255


DENVER (Dec. 8, 2015) – On Wednesday, the Colorado Supreme Court will hear oral arguments to decide whether local communities, specifically Fort Collins and Longmont, can ban oil and natural gas drilling activities, including fracking, from their borders. 

Vital for Colorado, a broad-based coalition of Colorado businesses, associations and individuals, underscored the significance of this landmark case. 

“We feel confident that the Colorado Supreme Court will find that state regulations must be applied uniformly across the state, creating a consistent business climate and protecting private property rights,” said Vital for Colorado Board Chair and local attorney Peter Moore. 

Lower courts overturned a 2012 fracking ban in Longmont and a five-year fracking moratorium in Fort Collins from 2013. The state appeals court declined to weigh in and instead, deferred the matter to the Colorado Supreme Court. 

Kelly Brough, President and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, said that permitting local rules to preempt state regulations would result in a patchwork of regulations across the state, making Colorado less attractive to current and prospective businesses.

“That would create an unpredictable business climate in our state, which has a ripple effect,” Brough said. “The oil and natural gas industry has a tremendous impact on our small and large businesses, nonprofits and labor organizations, all of which will be impacted by efforts to limit responsible energy development.” 

In Colorado, oil and natural gas operators work with both the surface owners and sub-surface owners to extract the resources. The operators financially compensate both for the minerals extracted from the subsurface owners and for the use of the surface land.

The Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) represents many of the state’s 600,000 mineral owners. According to NARO’s Colorado president and Vital for Colorado board member Michelle Smith, these owners are watching the Supreme Court case closely. 

“Many Colorado families rely on these royalty payments for their livelihood or for their retirement and investment savings,” Smith said. “These kinds of local bans wipe out those savings and significantly increase the uncertainty for future financial planning.”

Similarly, surface owners also stand to lose financial opportunities if local governments ban fracking. Groups like the Colorado Farm Bureau recognize the opportunities available to their members, particularly in between growing seasons. 

“We’ve worked closely with Colorado’s oil and gas operators to strike the right balance between the impacts to our farmland and their right to responsible energy development,” said Colorado Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Chad Vorthmann. “These agreements benefit many of our family farms during the off-season and are the result of compromise versus unyieldingness.” 

The numerous stakeholder groups from state and local governments, to property rights owners, to contractors, to communities illustrate the breadth of the impact of Colorado’s oil and natural gas industry, which also permeates throughout the economy generating $25 billion in economic activity and supporting over 200,000 jobs. Upholding the hydraulic fracturing bans will have a negative impact on the industry that will be felt throughout the economy.

Since the original bans passed, Governor John Hickenlooper formed an oil and gas task force that travelled throughout the state collecting public and stakeholder input. This effort resulted in nine recommendations and new regulations aimed at striking a balance among the many stakeholders. The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission is expected to adopt and implement the final two recommendations early next year.

About Vital for Colorado
Vital for Colorado is a broad coalition of business and civic leaders formed to support responsible energy development.  More than 50,000 chambers, organizations, businesses and Coloradans have signed its pro-energy pledge. For more information, go to www.vitalforcolorado.com

Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman Named Chairman of Business Roundtable

Washington – Business Roundtable today announced that Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc., has been named Chairman. He will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2017. 

Oberhelman joined Business Roundtable in 2010. He will succeed Randall Stephenson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Inc., after the completion of Stephenson’s two-year term.

“Doug is an outstanding global business leader and a leading advocate for promoting jobs, innovation and economic growth in the United States,” Stephenson said. “Doug’s leadership at Business Roundtable has helped secure congressional approval of trade agreements and has encouraged public investment in America’s infrastructure. He has a record of driving cooperation between government and industry, and the Roundtable is well-positioned moving forward with Doug at the helm. 

“I am grateful to have worked with America’s top business leaders, President Obama and members of the House and Senate leadership from both parties over these past two years to advance pro-growth policies in America,” Stephenson said. “I look forward to working with Doug and all the other member CEOs to foster a more competitive, productive and prosperous future for the United States.”

Oberhelman assumes leadership of Business Roundtable at a pivotal moment for the U.S. economy. Among the key priorities identified in the Business Roundtable economic growth agenda are expanding U.S. trade, adopting a smarter approach to regulation and enacting pro-growth tax reform.

“We need to get the U.S. economy firing on all cylinders,” Oberhelman said. “This is a crucial time for action on pro-growth policies. Success requires working together with the Administration, Congress and the business community on concrete steps to move our economy forward and reignite America as a job-creating machine. I look forward to working with my peers at Business Roundtable to advocate and get this done.

“Randall Stephenson has done a great job leading Business Roundtable,” Oberhelman added. “Following him is no small task. I will be honored to serve as Chairman and continue the extraordinary progress Randall helped achieve.”

Oberhelman became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc. in 2010. He has since led Caterpillar through accelerated business cycles, implementing multiple measures to improve global manufacturing and operations. He has also led Caterpillar to renew its focus on customers and reinforced its dedication to quality, sustainability and innovation. His full biography is available here and a high-resolution photo can be downloaded here.

Caterpillar Inc. was an early member of Business Roundtable, joining the organization in 1974.

Rural Jump-Start Program roll-out dates announced

Dear Economic Development Partners,

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade has scheduled roll-out dates for the new Rural Jump-Start program. The program will start accepting applications from designated institutes of higher education for participation and zone creation on Dec. 15, 2015 at noon. Applications from new businesses will be accepted starting on Jan. 19, 2016 at noon. 

Given that the Rural Jump-Start program is limited by statute to only three zones in 2016, applicants are encouraged to apply early. After the three zones are created for 2016, applicants who are approved for participation will start receiving program benefits in 2017.

The Rural Jump-Start program will offer tax relief to approved businesses and employees of those businesses in Jump-Start Zones for up to four years. With the approval of the Colorado Economic Development Commission, counties and municipalities will be setting up these zones around the state, and working with local colleges in attracting new businesses.

Because we are still in the process of launching the program and finalizing some details, we would appreciate your help in ensuring accurate information is released. We are asking that any written correspondence about the program to potential beneficiaries (e-mail, website or printed material) include the following text:

Per C.R.S. 39-30.5-101, the Colorado Rural Jump-Start program will begin taking applications on Dec. 15, 2015 at noon. All applications for participation in Rural Jump-Start will be submitted via a formal online process, reviewed by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and will require approval by the Colorado Economic Development Commission. Rules for the program and the application processes for businesses, institutes of higher education, municipalities and counties are in the program manual, which can be downloaded at www.advancecolorado.com/jumpstart. Please note that, per statute, in the first year of the program (January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016) only three pilot Jump-Start Zones can be approved. Anyone wishing for information about the Rural Jump-Start program should contact Ken Jensen at OEDIT at 303.892.3743.

Please contact me if you have any questions, and thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Ken Jensen
303.892.3743
[email protected]
 

Space Foundation elects new officers & directors

Space Foundation Contact:
Carol Hively,Director Public Relations & Team Communications
[email protected]

COLORADO SPRINGS (Nov. 16, 2015) – The board of directors of the Space Foundation has elected new officers and directors, for terms to commence on January 1, 2016.  ADM James O. Ellis, Jr., USN (Ret.) was elected Chairman of the Board.  A former command of United States Strategic Command, Ellis is the Annenberg Distinguished Visiting Fellow as the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

Lon Levin, Chairman through December 31, was elected to Director Emeritus.  A 12 year veteran of the Space Foundation board, Levin is a co-founder of XM Satellite Radio, and heads his own firm, SkySeven Ventures.

Kay Sears, President of Intelsat General, was elected to a two-year term as Secretary.  She replaces former NASA astronaut and educator Dr. Kathryn Thornton, who was elected to a special emphasis position as Special Director, Education, and will focus her attention on the Foundation’s STEM education programs and operations.

Hoyt Davidson, Managing Partner, Near Earth LLC, was elected as a member of the board, and elected to a two-year term as Treasurer.  He assumes the role of Treasurer from Anita Antenucci, Senior Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey, who was elected Life Director.

Patti Grace Smith, former Associate Administrator of the FAA and Principal in Patti Grace Smith Consulting, was re-elected to a one-year term as At Large Member of the Executive Committee.

In addition, the Space Foundation’s board elected several members to new, three-year terms:

Dr. Alice Bunn

Director of Policy, UK Space Agency

Jeffrey D. Grant

Sector Vice President and General Manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems

Blake E. Larson

Chief Operating Officer, Orbital ATK

Dr. Amy Mainzer

Senior Research Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Dr. Robert D. Richards

Founder & CEO, Moon Express, Inc.

Gen. William L. Shelton, USAF (Ret.)

Former Commander, Air Force Space Command

Richard R. Yuse

Vice President, Raytheon Company, President, Space and Airborne Systems

Elected to a special two-year term, New Generation Space Leader:

Victoria Alonsoperez

Founder, Chipsafer

Chair, Space Generation Advisory Council

Other Space Foundation board members are:

            Elected to a second term:

Dr. Ronald M. Sega

Director, Systems Engineering Programs, Colorado State University

Former NASA astronaut

Board members continuing in office are:

Richard F. Ambrose

Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company

The Honorable Robert E. "Bud" Cramer

Managing Director, C2Group/FTI Consulting

John W. Elbon

Vice President and General Manager, The Boeing Company - Space Exploration

Tom Feeney

President and Chief Executive Officer, Associated Industries of Florida

Michael C. Gass

Former President and Chief Executive Officer, United Launch Alliance

Dr. Fritz Merkle

Member of the Executive Board, OHB System AG

P.J. O'Rourke

Author and Political Satirist

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity." Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA, has a public Discovery Center, including El Pomar Space Gallery, Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere® and the Lockheed Martin Space Education Center. The Space Foundation has a field office in Houston and conducts government affairs from its Washington, D.C., office. It publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity, and through its Space CertificationTM and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, recognizes space-based innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook,Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Flickr and YouTube, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.

Gov. Hickenlooper announces new Director of the Colorado Tourism Office

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade today announced that Cathy Ritter will serve as director of the Colorado Tourism Office, effective Dec. 1, 2015. 

"Cathy's appointment comes at a time of record growth for our tourism industry, and she's just the person to take us to the next level," said Gov. John Hickenlooper. "We are thrilled to have her experience and knowledge on our team. She has been recognized nationwide for her exceptional tourism industry work, and we know she will be a great asset to the state."
In her role as the Colorado Tourism Director, Ritter will lead the state's marketing campaign to attract visitors, as well as develop new initiatives to further Colorado's tourism growth. The position manages all tourism marketing and promotional functions, promoting Colorado around the globe.

"Colorado is such a hot destination, with so many fascinating and fun experiences for all types of travelers," Ritter said. "I'm excited about the opportunities to bring fresh thinking and energy to sharing that message and creating new reasons for travelers to choose Colorado." 

Ritter is a prior director of the Illinois Bureau of Tourism, where she directed planning and implementation of the bureau's $60 million annual budget, increasing the state's market share by 7 percent. In this role, she also managed the state's tourism marketing message, as well as led statewide efforts to develop a blueprint to improve Illinois' competitive position and expand the economic impact of tourism. Under her tenure, the bureau was honored for having the best advertising campaign from the Travel Industry Association of America.

Most recently, Ritter turned her experience of tourism lifestyle marketing into a career as a top marketing executive for three nonprofit senior living systems: WesleyLife, Asbury Communities and Friendship Senior Options. Her accomplishments include creating award-winning marketing campaigns and communications initiatives, as well as managing sales teams. Prior to serving as tourism director, Ritter worked for the State of Illinois in various roles, including director of communications for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, deputy press secretary for the Illinois Office of Secretary of State, and as public information officer for the Illinois Commerce Commission. Ritter started her career as a newspaper reporter, working as a statehouse bureau reporter for Lee Enterprises' four Illinois newspapers.

"Our nationwide search for the right person to lead Colorado's tourism effort led us to Cathy Ritter, whose knowledge and expertise in tourism and marketing is incomparable," said Fiona Arnold, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. "Cathy understands innately the leading role tourism has in Colorado and its vital economic impact. She will be a wonderful leader for the Colorado Tourism Office as it continues to deliver the highest quality support for the tourism industry in our state."

Ritter holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois. 

Tourism is a booming industry in Colorado, employing over 150,000 jobs with earnings of more than $5 billion. Last year, total direct travel spending in Colorado reached $18.6 billion, with 66 percent of that total coming from visitors who stayed overnight in paid accommodations. This record-spending figure represents an increase of 7.4 percent over 2013, significantly outpacing the national growth rate of 4.5 percent in visitor expenditures by 65 percent. 

The Colorado Tourism Office is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
 

U.S. Treasury launches myRA (my Retirement Account) to help bridge America's retirement savings gap

U.S. Treasury Department
Office of Public Affairs
CONTACT: Treasury Public Affairs, (202) 622-2960

With pilot concluded, program expands with new funding options to make myRA available to more people

WASHINGTON– With millions of Americans lacking adequate retirement savings, the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the national launch of myRA, a simple, safe and affordable new savings option for those who don’t have access to a retirement savings plan at work.  People can get information about myRA and sign up for an account at myRA.gov.

“myRA is designed to remove common barriers to saving and give people an easy way to get started,” said U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew. “myRA has no fees, no risk of losing money and no minimum balance or contribution requirements. To make saving easier than ever, you can now put savings into myRA directly from your bank account.”

With the initial pilot phase of the program concluded, myRA is now available nationwide with multiple ways for people to start saving:

• Paycheck. Set up automatic direct deposit contributions to myRA through an employer.
• NEW: Checking or savings account. Now savers can fund a myRA account directly by setting up recurring or one-time contributions from a checking or savings account.
• NEW: Federal tax refund. At tax time, direct all or a portion of a federal tax refund to myRA.

“myRA can give people confidence that they’re taking steps in the right direction, and it can serve as a bridge to other savings options that will carry them the rest of the way,” said Lew. “myRA alone will not solve the nation’s retirement savings gap, but it will be an important stepping stone for encouraging and creating a nation of savers.”

According to a 2015 Federal Reserve Report, 31 percent of non-retired people said they have no retirement savings or pension whatsoever. Additionally, a 2013 report by the National Institute on Retirement Savings found that the average near-retirement household had only $12,000 in retirement savings. Among workers who do not participate in a 401(k) or other defined contribution plan, 42 percent say it’s because their employer does not offer one. Furthermore, among part-time workers, a 2015 BLS Economic Release found that 62 percent don’t have access to a retirement plan at work.

In his 2014 State of the Union address, President Obama announced that he would direct the Treasury Department to develop myRA. Throughout 2014, the Treasury Department developed the framework for the program, including creating a new Treasury savings bond to serve as the underlying investment for these accounts, as well as designating a financial agent to help Treasury administer the accounts and set up a simple way for savers to fund their accounts through their employers. This year, the Treasury Department worked with a small, diverse group of employers as part of the initial pilot phase of myRA to get feedback and ensure that the user experience is as simple and straightforward as possible.

myRA is designed as a starter retirement account to help bridge the savings gap for many of these workers. It is optimized to appeal to first-time savers, for whom a no-risk, principal-protected investment is more appealing than a higher-risk investment option. As myRA account holders grow their savings, they have the option to transfer to a private-sector Roth IRA with diverse investment options at any time, or transfer to a private-sector Roth IRA once they reach the maximum myRA balance of $15,000.

myRA is a Roth IRA and follows the same eligibility requirements. To participate in myRA, savers (or their spouses, if married filing jointly) must have taxable compensation to be eligible to contribute to a myRA account and be within the Roth IRA income guidelines. Savers can contribute to their myRA accounts as little as a few dollars up to $5,500 per year (or $6,500 per year for individuals who will be 50 years of age or older at the end of the year). Savers can also withdraw money they put into their myRA accounts tax-free and without penalty at any time.  Roth IRA requirements apply to the tax free withdrawal of any earnings.

For more information about myRA or to sign up for an account, visit myRA.gov.

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FAA approves unmanned aircraft testing in San Luis Valley

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Reference Technologies Hummingbird, a 120-pound, vertical-lifting Unmanned Aircraft System that has been approved by the FAA for testing in the San Luis Valley. Photo courtesy Reference Technologies Inc. of Lafayette, Colorado.

Contact:
Brian Argrow, 303-492-5312
[email protected] 
Jim Scott, CU media relations, 303-492-3114
[email protected]

A collaborative effort involving six counties, the University of Colorado Boulder and the nonprofit aerospace advocacy group, UAS Colorado, has paved the way for the launch and testing of two unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the San Luis Valley. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded two Certificates of Authorization (COA) for the aircraft to fly in an 8,000-square-mile air space in the San Luis Valley to heights of 15,000 feet. San Luis Valley’s Leach Airport in Center, Colorado, will be the primary operations hub for UAS testing in the valley, with participation by number of other airports scattered across the valley, said Alamosa County Attorney Jason Kelly. 

The FAA has approved two types of UAS for flight there: a 120-pound vertical takeoff craft known as the Reference Technologies Hummingbird and a smaller, battery-powered UAS that is being developed jointly by Black Swift Technologies and Swift Engineering and which can be hand-launched with a payload of up to 8 pounds. Reference Technologies Inc. is headquartered in Lafayette, Colorado, while Black Swift Technologies, headquartered in Boulder, is a start-up company founded by CU-Boulder alumni Jack Elston, Maciej Stachura and Cory Dixon. 

According to CU-Boulder aerospace engineering sciences Professor Brian Argrow, the collaborative effort to obtain the San Luis Valley air space from the FAA involved working closely with air traffic controllers at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont to enable the UAS flights to be cleared up to 15,000 feet. “We see this as a major accomplishment for UAS operations in Colorado,” said Argrow. 

“The decision by the FAA to allow for the testing of UAS aircraft in the San Luis Valley is a big step forward in keeping Colorado at the forefront in the development and testing of these aircraft,” said UAS Colorado CEO Constantin Diehl, who formally submitted the two COA applications requesting the San Luis Valley airspace. 

In 2012, Argrow led the CU portion of an effort for Colorado to acquire one of six FAA test sites for UAS. While Colorado was not selected, the proposal galvanized a statewide effort to acquire a test site that was heavily supported by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., the Adams County Economic Development Corp. and several state-based companies and individuals, said Argrow. 

UAS Colorado represents a statewide business league of more than 100 industry, research and economic development stakeholders dedicated to preserving Colorado’s leading role in the UAS aerospace industry. Diehl also is the CEO of Rocky Mountain UAS, created in 2013 to partner with CU-Boulder on research efforts. 

In September, CU-Boulder announced university-wide “Grand Challenge” to build on strengths of the institution in aerospace-related science and technology. As part of the Grand Challenge, CU-Boulder is investing $2 million in a new initiative called the Integrated Remote and In Situ Sensing Initiative (IRISS) to use UAS, or drones, to enhance research data collection from the ground, in the atmosphere and in space. 

According to Argrow, UAS have the potential to be used for a wide variety of projects ranging from crop and drought monitoring and power line and pipeline inspection to search and rescue operations, firefighting support and airborne delivery activities. 

Black Swift Technologies and CU-Boulder, for example, recently completed the successful flight of a Tempest UAS carrying instruments to measure soil moisture, a project supported by a NASA Small Business Innovation Research Program. The technology could have far-reaching applications ranging from drought assessment and flood forecasting to water conservation. 

Operating one of the comprehensive UAS research programs in the nation, CU-Boulder has undertaken projects ranging from monitoring seal populations in the Arctic and charting sea ice changes near Greenland to intercepting storm cells associated with tornadoes in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska and measuring gaping holes in Antarctic sea ice. 

-CU-