Billie Reed is the executive director of the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (VCSFA) and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS). The VCSFA, a subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, was established in July 1995, to promote industry and economic development and to enhance scientific and technology education, primarily through the operations of MARS. As executive director, Dr. Reed is responsible for executive management of spaceport design and development, development and negotiation of agreements, permits, and licenses, oversight of space launch operations at MARS, and new business development in the aerospace sector. Dr. Reed also holds an appointment as assistant professor of Engineering Management in the College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University (16 years). He served in the United States Navy for 20 years as a commissioned officer in nuclear powered submarines and he has over 37 years of participating in and supervising advanced technology development, application, and operation of military, industrial, and civil systems. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master's Degree in Engineering Management, and a Ph.D. in Engineering Management.