New York Consortium for Space Technology

Mason Peck is a faculty member at Cornell University specializing in aerospace engineering and systems engineering. He served as NASA’s Chief Technologist from 2011 to 2013, advising on technology strategy, prioritization, and commercialization while collaborating on space policy initiatives such as the Asteroid Grand Challenge. During his tenure, Dr. Peck worked with the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government on new technology initiatives.

With expertise in space system architectures, mission design, and GNC, Dr. Peck’s leadership spans academia, industry, and DoD, including research funded by DARPA, NASA, AFOSR, and leading aerospace contractors like SpaceX and Lockheed Martin. He has over 10 years of industry experience and 19 patents in space technology stemming from his work at companies such as Boeing Satellite Systems and Honeywell, where he served as Principal Fellow.

At Cornell, Dr. Peck directs the Space Systems Design Studio, where students collaborate on Air Force and NASA-funded flight programs, launching several small spacecraft, including KickSat, the first crowdfunded spacecraft.

Greg Ray has a 30-year career spanning military service, entrepreneurship, and science and technology, bringing a unique perspective across the technical, operational, and strategic space arenas.

Dr. Ray’s experience includes Senior Director of Partnership Development at Cornell University, 22 years of service as a Naval Officer, Program Director in the DoD Space Test Program, and as senior leader at several nonprofits. He serves as part of the founding team and Director of the Board for the New York Consortium for Space Technology. Dr. Ray was a startup entrepreneur of an agriculture technology company that contributed to livelihood projects in refugee communities abroad.

Dr. Ray holds B.S. degrees in Biomedical Science and Entomology from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and he has completed advanced training in business, partnership development, and project management at Cornell and the Wharton School.

Based in Rochester, NY, Dr. Ray and his wife, Kari, enjoy traveling, cooking, and precious moments with their three grown daughters.

Niki Werkheiser serves as the Director for Technology Maturation in the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) at NASA Headquarters, where she leads the advancement of mid-TRL technologies for future space missions. Prior to her current role, Ms. Werkheiser led the Agency’s In-Space Manufacturing efforts, including the development of novel, on-demand manufacturing, repair, and recycling capabilities which have been demonstrated on the International Space Station (ISS) and directly feed forward to NASA’s Exploration missions. Ms. Werkheiser has over 25 years of experience developing and flying new technologies in space and a proven approach for managing complex projects and programs. She is particularly passionate about creating novel competitive programs and partnerships across the government, industry, and academia. Ms. Werkheiser holds a Master of Science Degree from the University of Alabama at Huntsville with an emphasis in Gravitational and Space Biology, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Russian Language and Studies.

John Neal serves as the Executive Director for Space Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where he leads the Chamber’s Space Industry Council.

Previously, John spent nearly 10 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent where he conducted national security and criminal investigations while assigned to the Buffalo and Washington Field Offices.  John served on active duty in the Pacific and Middle East as an airborne reconnaissance direct support officer with the U.S. Navy, and worked in legislative affairs for both the FBI and the Navy.

Following the FBI, John joined the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security where he served as a Senior Professional Staff member on the Counterterrorism and Intelligence subcommittee, and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies subcommittee advising the Chairman and Members on cyber, national security, and financial services matters. 

Outside of government, John has held business development and sales leadership roles with leading technology companies including PlanetLabs and NXP Semiconductors.  John received his BA in Government from the University of Notre Dame, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.