Frank A. Slazer is responsible for advancing AIA’s advocacy on all civil and defense space program issues. Prior to joining AIA in 2011, Slazer was the leading business development focal at Northrop Grumman in support of its space exploration and re-usable space launch new business pursuits. For nearly 30 years, Slazer has worked on a wide range of civil and military space programs for a number of major aerospace companies. He started as a propulsion engineer at McDonnell Douglas on the Delta Launch Vehicle in Huntington Beach, California. Over the years, he held positions of increasing responsibility and transitioned from engineering to business development.In 1988, he was chosen by McDonnell Douglas to participate in the Conference Board/Brookings Institution Congressional Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. After a year of working for then Representative Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), he moved to the McDonnell Douglas Washington office where, for six years, he was the company’s principal representative on NASA’s Space Station program. In 1996 Slazer relocated back to Huntington Beach when he was named Director of Business Development for Space Flight programs. In 1997, he was named Director, EELV/Delta IV Business Development – a position he retained following McDonnell Douglas’ merger with Boeing. In 1998, after Boeing’s EELV contract award, Slazer headed USAF/DOD Sales in the new Delta Launch Services organization until 2001 when he was chosen to lead Boeing’s Space Shuttle Business Development organization. In 2003, he transitioned back to lead civil space business development for Boeing Launch Services. He continued leading civil space sales after the formation of the United Launch Alliance joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin until February 2008.
From 2007 to 2012, Slazer served as President of the member-based American Astronautical Society. His involvement with AIA’s Space Council goes back to 1992, which he chaired in 2001 and 2002.