A Conversation With: Kate Kronmiller

Kate Kronmiller is the Vice President of Washington Operations for United Space Alliance. She is responsible for overseeing all USA activities in Washington D.C. involving Congress, the Administration, embassies, industry and educational institutions. She discusses USA’s role in our nation’s capital.

UPDATE: Why is it important for USA to have a presence in Washington, D.C.?

KRONMILLER: As a government contractor, every aspect of USA’s business is decided and/or funded by the federal government. It’s that simple. In this uncertain political environment, we have to be aggressively engaged with Congress and the administration, and we must work cooperatively with NASA Headquarters, U.S. industry, trade associations, and foreign governments on issues ranging from the NASA top line budget to the Iran Non-Proliferation Act. All roads vital to USA maintaining our current business base and positioning for future opportunities converge here in Washington. As policy is made, budgets tighten and priorities determined, this presence has never been more important.

UPDATE: What role does our Washington, D.C., staff play? Tell me about our D.C. team?

KRONMILLER: Our D.C. staff serves as the eyes, ears and voice of our company in Washington. Supporting USA in that critical role are Meghan Allen, USA’s Director of Legislative Affairs; and Neal Hammond, Vice President for Exploration; our Administrative Assistant, Joan O’Keefe; and myself. We are fortunate to be able to augment our D.C. presence with our senior executives who are actively engaged in every aspect of our Federal, State and Local Government Relations, as well as our Business Development activities.

UPDATE: What is the most important role or aspect of USA’s D.C. efforts?

KRONMILLER: Simply put, it is to represent the interests of USA and its employees and to support its customer. We gather and convey information, analyze the impact of government decisions, and advise our company’s leadership regarding courses of action available to USA. We must anticipate developments and be prepared to address whatever contingencies arise. We make sure that our management team receives accurate information in a timely way to enable intelligent decisions in furtherance of the goals of USA. We also assist government officials as they deliberate their own decisions. We have to ask the right questions of, and have the right answers for, administration officials and members of Congress and their staff. We serve as advocates to ensure NASA’s budget and, in particular, its Human Space Exploration programs are understood and adequately funded.

UPDATE: What can the rest of the company employees do in supporting USA’s goals and objectives in D.C.?

KRONMILLER: USA does an outstanding job of supporting its D.C. team. Company employees understand our requirements in Washington and actively offer ideas and solutions to policy and funding issues. USA has the best and the brightest minds working in our industry. Continued performance, operational excellence and good communications are the best way to maintain USA’s reputation. Ultimately, our success in D.C. depends on the company’s performance and also on the program’s performance. I know our employees are all doing their part to support the Shuttle and Station programs and also to offer ideas for efficient and effective ways to transition from the current operational programs to the Crew Launch Vehicle, Crew Exploration Vehicle and other future programs.

UPDATE: How has the response been in Washington, D.C., to USA’s efforts?

KRONMILLER: USA’s efforts have been rewarded with valuable relationships with key members of Congress, their staffs, officials at NASA and in the White House. I credit this primarily to our success in USA’s operational performance and maintaining its credibility by being knowledgeable, accurate and timely in an often contentious environment. Washington has responded well to the willingness of USA senior management to engage personally in the give-and-take of the government process.

UPDATE: What else does your shop do?

KRONMILLER: USA is active in the D.C. aerospace and government relations communities, serving on boards and associations which advocate for NASA programs. We are also very involved in promoting math and science education programs critical to the education of our K thru 8 students. We also help mentor young people to build a sound foundation for the future of our Nation’s human space flight program. We work closely with USA’s Communication and Public Relations department to help with outreach to the general public and assist with welcoming people, both private and government, to Shuttle facilities and launches.

Our job is to do, day to day, the thousand different and challenging things it takes to properly represent the employees of USA and advance the goals of USA and its customer here in Washington.

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