U.S. Space & Rocket Center welcomes Joe Vallely as Vice President of External Affairs

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is pleased to welcome Joe Vallely as its new Vice President of External Affairs. Vallely most recently served as director of government relations at Lockheed Martin. He was previously assistant vice president of corporate relations at the University of Alabama in Huntsville following more than 20 years as Huntsville’s Director of Economic Development. “We are honored to have such a prestigious and credible addition to our team,” Dr. Deborah Barnhart, CEO and Executive Director of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, said. “Joe and his wife, Lynne, are pillars of our community, and we welcome them to the Rocket Center family.” As vice president of external affairs, Vallely will work with Dr. Barnhart to implement the exciting projects on the Rocket Center’s horizon by coordinating with corporate, government and community stakeholders. The Rocket Center is currently partnering with the U.S. Army to develop Exploration Park from land adjacent to the Center’s property to provide recreational space for the community. The Center is also looking toward 2019 and Alabama’s bicentennial and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission that put Americans on the moon. “I am excited to join this team,” Vallely said. “Its mission to advocate for science and space exploration and help inspire the next generation is something I am excited to be a part of. I am looking forward to helping the Center continue to shine as a vibrant part of this city, the aerospace community and the state.” Media contact: Pat Ammons, pat.ammons@spacecamp.com; 256-721-5429. For social media, please tag @rocketcenterusa. About U.S. Space & Rocket Center The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is home to Space Camp® and Aviation Challenge®, the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket and world-class traveling exhibits. USSRC is the Official Visitor Center for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal. To learn more about the exciting programs and activities at the USSRC, go to www.rocketcenter.com.