David Beaver
David Beaver is now applying his vast media expertise and skills to telling the NewSpace Story to facilitate our becoming space-faring. David draws on the “overview effect” in his media work and is also doing a special one day Overview Effect Conference one day prior to the Space Frontier Foundation conference in Washington, DC in July 2007. David is also a Consultant in Theoretical and Applied Magic. David holds three US and British patents for the invention of The Magic Stage, a virtual reality theater technology that creates a realistic animated 3-D virtual world that is interactive with live performers, who are immersed within it, on a live stage. He created a new theory of stage magic; called Projection theory (based on several decades of research into the psychology of magic) that is more in keeping with modern cognitive perception science than traditional magic’s theories of deception and misdirection. He has written and lectured on Projection Theory’s relationship to design, perception, art, film, virtual reality and other fields in graduate seminars at The North Carolina State University Design School and Psychology Department, The Duke University Art Department, the School of Filmmaking at the North Carolina School of The Arts and at The Computer Science (virtual reality) lab at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). He has consulted for organizations as diverse as The Raleigh little Theater, The PRF (Durham parapsychology lab, ITVA (International Television and Video Association) and Metaphoria (Montreal-based major creator of the Technology Village at the Lisbon World’s Fair). He has written two yet to be published books on his research and theories, Of Mind and Magic, and Post-Modern Magic and is at work on a third, Applied Magic. David says that his “driving intent, through my entire professional career, has been to develop, teach and apply a greater understanding of the projection nature, functioning and implications of human perception on every aspect of life. For many years I have emphasized the use of the relatively untapped body of principles, technique and technologies that comprise the historic body of work that is called “stage magic” as a model of the brain/mind mechanism that underlie and enable perception. I call this new cognitive approach to magic, Projection Theory.” David studied nuclear engineering and physics at The University of Virginia and the psychology and sociology of perception and the philosophy of science a The University of Richmond. He had developed a serious interest in science, the mind and stage magic by the age of seven. By high school, he had a chemistry in his basement rivaling that of his (suburban Washington D.C.) high school, was the physics lab assistant, a media winner in the national Explorer Science Olympics and the president and co-founder of The Arlington (Va.) Rocket Society. He created a school subsidized independent study project, which he focused on how optical illusions are transmitted through media systems. After college, David worked for a number of years as a professional magician, performing in nightclubs, theaters, festivals, corporate functions and many other venues. He performed solo acts, with bands and other entertainers as well as integrating magic into stage plays and other performances. He designed magic for local television commercials, acted as a consultant in magic for the Durham PRF, a parapsychology laboratory, and designed his own series of (as yet un-produced) magic plays employing magic, drama, dance, music and high-tech special effects as well as 3-dimensional projection systems of his own design. Having just emerged from an intense academic study of the relationship of mind and matter however, it is perhaps not surprising that he had a unique perspective on the traditional effects and methods of magic. While performing and applying magic in a variety of increasingly unconventional ways, he continued to write journal essays a bout a ‘new view’ of stage magic. Projection Theory changes the very value and significance of magic in our culture by intensifying its profound but little known relationships to the functions of our mind to perception, and to creativity itself. This includes the nature and use of the media in art and communication, as well as all things ‘magical’ in our post-modern new age of magic. Today David writes, researches, lectures, designs and consults on Projection Theory and its many applications.

Keith Ferrell
The author of more than a dozen books, including novels and biographies, Keith Ferrell has also written hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and encyclopedia articles on scientific, technical, business, historical, and cultural topics. He was written and co-designed several interactive computer games. He has spoken to business, government, and educational audiences in the United States, Europe, and Asia, and has appeared frequently on television and radio. Recent publications include articles on the future of the Web, the history of glass, the perils and inaccuracies of Internet-based information, the challenges inherent in surveillance technologies, the variety of crises in corporate governance, and the evolution of unusual words. From 1990 to 1996 he was editor-in-chief of OMNI Magazine, the world’s largest circulation science magazine; additionally he was editorial director of the Compute family of books and magazines, as well as senior vice president of parent company General Media International. In 1994 Ferrell oversaw the launch of OMNI On-Line, the first major magazine to make the transition to Internet publication. Among numerous awards, Ferrell was recognized three times by the Software Publishers’ Association as computer journalist of the year; from 1993-1996 he hosted an in-flight television program, Tech Talk, for American Airlines. His most recent novel is Passing Judgment; a new novel is spread across his desk (and floor and shelves) and should be done by late spring. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Ferrell moved to Greensboro, N.C. in 1971, where he attended (and later taught at) the University of North Carolina’s Residential College. For much of the 90s he divided his time between Greensboro and New York. Since 1997 Ferrell and his wife Martha have been based at a small farm in Glade Hill, Virginia. The Ferrells have one son, Alec, who lives in New York City. In addition to novels, Ferrell is working on a variety of nonfiction books including both history and cultural commentary.

Jeff Krukin
Jeff Krukin is the new Executive Director of the Space Frontier Foundation. He is also an international speaker, writer, analyst, and award-winning leader concerned with commercial space development and The Human-Space ConnectionTM Mr. Krukin’s direct space involvement began in 1979 with a summer job at NASA Headquarters. His first space article was published in 1981, the year he completed his graduate internship at NASA Headquarters and became an IBM Systems Engineer at NASA's Johnson Space Center. In the early-1990's he began speaking at conferences about the settlement and development of space. Invited to become a Space Frontier Foundation Advocate in 1990, Jeff spent several years conducting research for various projects. He was Program Director of the Foundation's 1994 Conference and Chairman of the 1995 Conference. Combining his passions for space and writing, in the early 1990's he wrote a monthly column entitled "Think About It," which appeared for several years in the Journal for Space Development and other space newsletters. He has also been published in Space News, the Houston Chronicle, the Houston Business Journal, and on websites like Spacedaily.com and Betterhumans.com. Chelsea House will publish his first book essays, specifically written for high school students, in a multi-author collection in Fall 2004. Jeff is also a noted conference speaker and has been interviewed on radio and television news programs. Mr. Krukin received the 1998 ProSpace Activist of the Year Award and in 1999 he became Vice President and continued as Director of March Storm. Jeff became Chairman in 2002 and served until 2004. Jeff’s current affiliations include the International Association of Space Entrepreneurs and The Space Frontier Foundation’s Space Settlement Project. Jeff Krukin has presented his ideas for marketing space settlement to the general public and at space conferences, including the recent RTM. He has co-presented at the World Future Society’s annual conference with Guillermo Sohnlein, founder and President of the International Association of Space Entrepreneurs. This December, he will speak and participate in panel discussions at the International Space University’s annual international symposium in France. Jeff is particularly interested in speaking to high school students about these subjects.

Dr. Burton H. Lee
Burton H. Lee Ph.D. MBA is Managing Partner of Innovarium Ventures, a senior strategic, financial and technical advisory services firm based in Silicon Valley. He also serves as Lecturer in the Stanford School of Engineering, where he teaches and conducts research in the area of European entrepreneurship and innovation (http://me421.stanford.edu). His areas of expertise include venture finance and investment; startup business & technology strategy and market positioning; technology road mapping and due diligence; corporate development and M&A; technology transfer and commercialization; and innovation policy. Dr. Lee’s professional experience spans 15+ years in the global innovation sector, including senior executive positions with venture-backed startups, angel investor groups and venture funds, strategy consulting firms, high tech corporations, federal S&T agencies, and government innovation agencies. Recent clients include the Office of the Prime Minister of Ireland, where he served as a member of the Irish national Innovation Task force; the European Commission, DG Enterprise & Industry; National Science Foundation (NSF); National Institutes of Health (NIH); NASA Ames; and Panama's City of Knowledge Science Park and angel network. His management and technical experience also includes senior positions with leading organizations such as GE Global Research, Hewlett Packard, Daimler Chrysler AG and NASA in the United States, Europe and Japan. Lee's technical expertise spans the advanced computing/AI, software, space, aviation, nanotech, alternative energy, clean tech, and robotics sectors. Burton’s space background includes serving as co-founder and Principal at Space Angels Network; an early tenure as Manager of the Stanford Small Satellite Program; working at NASA Kennedy Space Center as a Shuttle Thermal Protection Systems research engineer; advising NASA Ames on new venture development and spinouts, and winning the Space Industrial Fellowship and Nasa Graduate Research Scholarship at Johnson Space Center. In 1990, Dr. Lee co-founded Spaceport America (originally named the Southwest Regional Spaceport) when he proposed southern New Mexico as a reentry capsule recovery site to New Mexico State University, authored the initial strategic and business plans, and raised $1.4 million in “seed” funding from Congress for spaceport feasibility, environmental and safety studies in collaboration with Sen. Pete Domenici. During 2005 – 2006, he worked closely with the New Mexico Economic Development Department as chief economist on the New Mexico Spaceport Economic Impact Study while at Futron Corporation. His objective job impact estimates were presented to the State Legislature in 2006 and played a key role in securing legislative approval of $100M in state appropriations for the spaceport build out. Lee’s international experience spans over 10 years of professional and education-related positions in Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Japan, Jamaica and Guyana. Burton holds a PhD in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering from Stanford (2002), and an MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from Cornell (2004). He attended the International Space University as a graduate of the inaugural class held at MIT in 1988. Additional professional and academic awards, credentials and background for this speaker are available at his LinkedIn profile @ http://www.linkedin.com/in/burtonlee.

Sarah Pickens
Sarah Pickens was born in Huntsville, AL. She will be 16 years old in July. Her dad (Timothy Pickens) and mom own and operate Orion Propulsion in Huntsville. She has had an interest in space since an early age. Sarah has a done a few projects over the years that gained her some national attention. Sarah owns a rocket bicycle that she and her dad put together. She desired to build and ride her bike after watching her dad ride his 200 pound thrust hybrid rocket bike, while she was at the age of 10. Her first rocket bike was carbon dioxide- powered and was built around a "Barbie Bicycle". It would do speeds up to 20-30 MPH. Sarah rode the bike many times and wrote to Popular Mechanics about it. They featured the bike as a major story, and it later won her an award as "The Reader Project of the Year". At the age of 12, she built her second rocket bike that got her and her dad a free trip to New York City. Here, their bikes were ridden for in Central Park, but for New York's "Inside Edition". Later, Sarah's bike was covered in Popular Science. Sarah also appeared on the Discovery Channel, and Discovery Science in Canada. Additionally, she was featured in the Smithsonian Magazine, as well as "The daily show with Jon Stewart". Since then, Sarah and her dad have built various devices that Sarah dreamed up, such as an animated Christmas decoration/scene used in the yard at Christmas. Six-foot-tall rockets are lit up depicting a cat that runs across the yard, leaps into the rocket, and leaves earth. This animation can be see at www.youtube.com by searching "Christmas in Dixie". The early bike runs can be seen there also by searching "Sarah Pickens". Sarah is currently working on a turbojet bike with her dad that will be ready by July.

Frank White
Frank White is a writer who has spent much of his career thinking about the implications of space exploration for human evolution. He has authored a total of six books, including: The Overview Effect, The SETI Factor, March of the Millennia and Think About Space (with Isaac Asimov), The Ice Chronicles (with Paul Mayewski) and Decision: Earth, a novel. Frank’s latest book, Decision: Earth, explores the impact of human contact with extraterrestrial intelligence and artificial intelligence. It is the first of a series of works that explicitly considers transhumanism and posthumanism, philosophies that take the current human condition as one step in a long process of evolution that will eventually move beyond homo sapiens. Recent developments in both governmental and non-governmental space exploration efforts appear to vindicate many of the ideas that were explicated in The Overview Effect. Frank is now working on a revision of that work, focusing The New Overview Effect on trends that have begun to appear since the first book came out in 1987. He is also working on “The Overview Project,” which has the goal of producing a documentary on The Overview Effect.