The Space Florida Board of Directors on Tuesday approved a $350,000-a-year contract for retired U.S. Space Force Col. Rob Long, who has been tapped to become the agency’s president and CEO.
“So, as we start this new era in Space Florida history, I’m really excited to work closely with Col. Long as we aim to further promote growth in Florida’s aerospace industry,” Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez, who chairs the board, said during a conference call. “And we have a lot of exciting work to accomplish.”
Board member Rodney Cruise, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University who handled the contract talks for Space Florida, said Long was waiting for clarification on some “simple issues” with the contract but is expected to sign.
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Long is slated to replace president and CEO Frank DiBello, who announced in March he was stepping down after overseeing the agency since 2009.
Cruise said Long’s pay is “within the range of a CEO.” Long, who spent 26 years with the U.S. military, recently retired as commander of Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 30 and Western Launch and Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
At Vandenberg, Long was responsible for more than 11,000 military and civilian personnel. On his LinkedIn page, Long describes himself as a “Space pro. Builder. Strategist. Rocket geek.”
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