New Director of BD

July 16, 2021, Sierra County, NM

Spaceport America has announced the appointment of Ms. Susan Raitt as the Director of Business Development. Starting July 24, Ms. Raitt will be charged with attracting new aerospace customers to the world's first purpose-built commercial spaceport. As Business Development lead Ms. Raitt has been instrumental in working with Spaceport America's tenants, while securing new customers such as Swift Engineering, C-6 Launch Systems, West Point, Intuitive Machines and Stratodynamics. Ms. Raitt replaces Scott McLaughlin who was appointed as the Executive Director of Spaceport America in March 2021.

“I am pleased to announce Susan Raitt's selection as Director of Business Development for Spaceport America," said Executive Director Scott McLaughlin. "We have received tremendous exposure with the recent Virgin Galactic flights, and activity by other customers such as Stratodynamics, AeroVironment, and C6 Launch Systems. New Mexico’s homegrown spaceport is clearly in the spotlight and Ms. Raitt knows how to take advantage of this to attract new customers."

Susan Raitt, a Rutgers University graduate hailing from New Jersey, has been a part of the Spaceport America team since January 2016. She has drawn on her knowledge and background in events, sales, and marketing to attract launch customers and non-aerospace business to Spaceport America to include racing, photography, film production, and commercials. One of her most recognized achievements is helping to bring the International Rocket Engineering Contest, now known as the Spaceport America Cup, to New Mexico in 2017.

“The goal of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority, as the operator of Spaceport America, is to bring new aerospace commerce and companies to the State of New Mexico, and support STEM activities to grow the workforce and the industry for New Mexicans," said Ms. Raitt. "I am passionate about our state and providing new and sustainable industry for its citizens.”    

Ms. Raitt has brought her passion for hospitality and guest service to the Spaceport America team with her long-term focus on increasing the value of the Spaceport America brand to drive commercial endeavors. She has worked with aerospace companies across the globe managing operational requirements, contracts, and invoicing. Before joining Spaceport America, Ms. Raitt was recognized as Meeting Professional International’s Supplier of the Year while working at several prestigious boutique hotels on the East Coast and was the Sales Director for the International Symposium for Commercial and Personal Spaceflight (ISPCS).