Mark Bitterman
VP, Government Relations and Business Development, Portal Space Systems
Portal Space Systems - VP OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, JUNE 24-PRESENT
Senior executive responsible for interaction with the US Government for this new-start space-based mobility company. Reporting directly to the CEO, devise strategies for enhancing the company's relationships with government stakeholders and growing the business base.
EMERICUS GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES LLC, GOLDEN, CO - PRESIDENT, June 2023 - Present
Manage advisory firm dedicated to finding government relations and policy solutions for corporate clients, primarily in the technology sectors
STRA TOLAUNCH LLC, Denver, CO, MOJAVE, CA - VP, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS (2017-2023)
Strategy, Business Development, Communications and Government Relations leader for a high-tech start-up dedicated to building high speed flight vehicles and testing hypersonic technologies for the U.S. Government
- Senior professional responsible for building a business base for this start-up high technology company. Known as a strategic thinker, provide insight and guidance to company leadership on issues related to new business strategy and capture, strategic partnerships, and customer engagement.
- Secured the company's first contracts with multiple US Government customers, demonstrating commitment to the company's flight testing program. Financial successes also included enactment of $56m in Congressional Interest Items.
- Built relationships for the company with the White House, Office of Secretary of Defense, Air Force Secretariat, SMC and AFRL, Missile Defense Agency, DARPA, USINDOPACOM, USSTRA TCOM, Sandia National Lab, NRO and military service intelligence organizations.
- Develop strategies for legislative initiatives with House and Senate Armed Services, House and Senate Appropriations, and House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
Booz ALLEN HAMIL TON, Chantilly, VA - ASSOCIATE, SPACE LAUNCH POLICY EXPERT (2015 to 2017) Reporting to the Director, Office of Space Launch, served as senior advisor and action officer.
Senior space launch expert on a team assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
- Received routine briefings on the capabilities of the satellites being launch by Office of Space Launch as well as on the capabilities of foreign satellites on orbit and planned.
- Received regular updates on the on-orbit successes of satellite systems developed by the NRO.
- In concert with the Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, developed classified strategic communications plans on NRO developments for broadcast within the intelligence community.
UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE (ULA), Arlington, VA, and Centennial, CO - VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS (2011 to 2015) Reporting directly to the President/CEO, lead the company's interaction with the legislative and executive branches of government at state, local and federal levels.
Led an aggressive federal, state and local government affairs and communications agenda for the Nation's premier provider of space launch services to the intelligence community and the Air Force.,
- Responsible for briefing the US Congress and other senior decision-makers on the readiness of the launch vehicles and the criticality of the satellite systems deployed by those launch vehicles.
- Liaison with intelligence community users of ULA rockets.
- The company's major supplier of rocket engines was NPO Energomash of Russia. Coordinated meetings with senior Russian industry officials and escorted senior US Senate staff to Russia for meetings and tours at Energomash.
ORBIT AL SCIENCES CORPORATION, Dulles, VA - SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS (1992 to 2011) Reporting directly to the CEO/Chairman, served as the senior corporate official responsible for strategy and liaison with federal, state and local governments, advisory committees, associations, and think tanks.
Provided executive leadership of government affairs for a fast-growing satellite and launch company headquartered in Northern Virginia.
- Led major strategy, policy and budget initiatives in the areas of missile defense, military space, remote sensing, space launch .. Received Outstanding Business Achievement Award from the President/CEO,
- Major collaborations as lead corporate representative to industry associations and coalitions, including: Association of Former Intelligence Officers, NOIA, AFA, Intelligence National Security Alliance, US Chamber of Commerce Space Enterprise Council (Chairman Emeritus).
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, Washington, D.C. - SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR INTELLIGENCE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS (1989 to 1992) Crafted and implemented legislative strategies for the Secretary of Defense and his key advisors. Successfully executed legislative liaison with congressional committees of jurisdiction and with counterparts at the White House, CIA, NSA, DIA, Special Operations Command, and Department of State. Awarded SECDEF Award for Outstanding Public Service in 1992.
Lead intelligence advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs