Maritime Launch Services, developer of Canada’s first commercial spaceport, Spaceport Nova Scotia, introduces members of its strategic Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board is comprised of individuals with unique leadership experience that will help guide the Company’s success throughout construction and operations of Spaceport Nova Scotia.

“Maritime Launch is thrilled to leverage the expertise of these exceptional leaders -each one bringing a wealth of experience and decades of leadership to the table,” says Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch. “As we continue construction of Spaceport Nova Scotia, our team at Maritime Launch will leverage our advisors’ unique experience as we build a world-class, commercial spaceport that will ensure Nova Scotia, and indeed all of Canada, is uniquely positioned in the global space industry while creating economic opportunity and inclusive jobs here at home.”

Each of the advisors are passionate about growing Canada’s space sector and will support Maritime Launch in establishing Canada as a leader and a key competitor in the global space economy.

The Advisory Board will be chaired by Sarah McLean, Vice President of Communications and Corporate Affairs at Maritime Launch. Membership consists of senior Canadian and international leaders with diverse expertise in key areas and sectors including international space industry and technology development; space law; construction management, international, federal and provincial public service and private sector experience; Indigenous law, culture, and leadership.

Spaceport Nova Scotia will offer the global satellite market the largest range of the preferred launch inclinations on the continent. Located near Canso, Nova Scotia, Spaceport Nova Scotia will be the only dedicated commercial launch site in North America.

Members of the Advisory Board include:

Sarah McLean, Chair – Sarah McLean is the VP, Communications and Corporate Affairs for Maritime Launch. A leader in inclusive community engagement, Sarah has led the public affairs and community engagement strategies for Maritime Launch since 2016, joining the company full time in 2021. Previous to Maritime Launch, Sarah was Associate Vice President at Canada’s largest public relations firm located in Halifax. Prior to that, Sarah led policy development for high profile federal Cabinet Ministers in Ottawa, serving as Director of Policy to the President of the Treasury Board, Policy Advisor to the Minister of International Trade and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Hon. Stephen McNeil – Served as the 28th Premier of Nova Scotia from 2013 -2021. Until his resignation in Spring 2021, Stephen was the dean of Canadian premiers, having held the office since 2013. In total, he served for 18 years in the Nova Scotia Legislature. Stephen served as Minister in a number of portfolios in the Nova Scotia Government including Aboriginal Affairs, Intergovernmental Affairs, Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness. An expert in international trade, Stephen supports global companies as they build business in Atlantic Canada.

Donna Lawler – Principal at Azimuth Advisory, Space Law Specialists, a member of the International Institute of Space Lawyers and a fellow of the London Institute of Space Policy and Law. Donna is an experienced commercial space lawyer specialising in transactions related to space activities, including launch of spacecraft and related risk, liability, and insurance matters. With over more than twenty years in the space industry, she has advised a range of commercial space organisations, including launch facilities and launch service providers.  She serves on several advisory boards for space-related organisations, has published joint papers on Space Law topics internationally and has lectured and presented on Space Law in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, South Africa and Australia.

Regional Chief Paul (PJ) Prosper – Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief, Nova Scotia. Chief Prosper is the former Chief of the Paq’tnkek First Nation in Antigonish County (2013-2020) and he was elected as Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in September 2020. A lawyer, Regional Chief Prosper taught Mi’kmaq Governance and Aboriginal and Treaty Rights at Cape Breton University and he has inspired community members and students with his extensive experience working with Canadian and Mi’kmaq law.

Cory Bell – President and CEO of Lindsay Construction, Atlantic Canada’s leading Construction Management company based in Nova Scotia. The core of Cory’s business philosophy is rooted in excellence, as it applies to projects, teams and client satisfaction. Widely regarded for his commitment to philanthropy, community, and contributing to Atlantic Canada’s economic growth, Cory has served on numerous industry boards and he volunteers his time supporting several start-up companies.

Colonel Lee Rosen, US Air Force, Ret. – Co-Founder and President of Think Orbital Inc., a company building the toolkit and infrastructure for large scale, autonomously assembled platforms in space. Lee has a 23-year service career in engineering, acquisition, and space operations with command tours at both US launch bases, Vandenberg SFB and Cape Canaveral.  He is a retired SpaceX VP of Mission & Launch Operations, and VP of Customer Operations & Integration. In his career to date, Lee has supported the build of five launch pads and 200+ launch operations.