Patricia Cooper leads SpaceX’s regulatory, policy and licensing activities in the U.S. and overseas to support the company’s development of a space-based broadband constellation.

Prior to joining SpaceX in 2015, Patricia served as Vice President of Government Affairs & Policy at Intelsat, heading up the company’s U.S. and international government affairs and lobbying activities. For the previous seven years, she led the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) as its President, directing policy and advocacy efforts for the trade association in regulatory, export control and national security arenas. She has held senior positions in the International Bureau of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), including as Senior Satellite Competition Advisor and Chief, Regional and Bilateral Affairs Branch. Patricia had developed international market strategy and practices for two startups, Internet infrastructure company Core Express Corporation and PanAmSat Corporation, a disruptor in the early satellite services market. She began her career at the U.S. Department of Commerce as an International Trade Specialist focused on the satellite industry and Latin America.

Patricia earned a Master’s Degree in International Economics from the School of Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins University and graduated from Kansas State University with Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and German.