Rich Cooper serves as Vice President – Strategic Communications & Outreach for Space Foundation leading the team that is telling the story of the next human adventure with space. While serving as the strategic communicator and spokesperson for Space Foundation, Cooper also leads its Media & Public Affairs, Digital Marketing & Creative Services, Digital Engagement, and Space Awareness operations. His prior roles include senior positions with the SAS Institute, Catalyst Partners, LLC; US Chamber of Commerce Foundation; US Department of Homeland Security; NASA Headquarters; and other senior positions in private and non-profit sectors. An accomplished writer and program strategist he has contributed commentaries, articles and speeches on space, homeland/national security and related strategic issues to media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, National Journal, TIME, Fox News, CNN, the Washington Post, Government Executive, Politico, the New York Times, the Hill, Homeland Security Today, and others.

Cooper possesses a bachelor’s degree from Mary Washington College, with graduate and executive education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Harvard’s Kennedy School and School of Public Health, and the University of Southern California.