By: Dylan WIlliams

Almost 100 business leaders were in attendance at the 2015 Alabama NASA MSFC Procurement Suppliers Conference April 8th at The Warehouse at Alley Station in Downtown Montgomery. The conference was hosted by the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and NASA. The conference provided opportunities for Alabama businesses to connect with NASA program representatives to explore business opportunities with NASA centers in the Southeast. “The goal is to grow and promote businesses and create more jobs” said Ron Simmons, VP of Business Development for the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.

Participants had the chance to learn about NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and other featured programs to include the Space Launch System Program and Flight Programs. “In Alabama there are over 950 contracted employees involved with the MSFC and other programs” stated Johnny Stephenson, Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Analysis & Communications at MSFC. “The Marshall Space Flight Center has a $3.3 billion economic impact on Alabama”.

Several presenters expounded on NASA’s journey to Mars. “There are capability step you have to take to go into deep space” said Jody Singer, Program Manager for the Flight Programs and Partnerships Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Another presenter, Keith Hefner showed a video about what it takes to build a rocket. Hefner is the Associate Program Manager of the Space Launch System Program. The take off to Mars is expected around the year 2030.

Those who attended the conference learned the steps to take to do business with NASA from David Brock, Small Business Specialist at NASA’s MSFC. After the conference adjourned, participants had the opportunity to network with NASA suppliers and presenters.

For more information about the Alabama NASA Space Launch System Supplier Conference contact Ron Simmons at (334) 230-8356 or [email protected].