Brian Chase Biography

brian chase biography portrait

Brian Chase

Brian Chase is a former Executive Director of the National Space Society.

From August 2005 until June 2007, Chase served as NASA’s Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs. Under Chase’s direction, the Office of Legislative Affairs directs all agency relations with the U.S. Congress, governors, state legislators and local governments.

Prior to joining NASA, Chase served as vice president of Washington operations for the Space Foundation. In that capacity, he opened the Foundation’s first Washington office and represented it before the U.S. Congress and departments and agencies of the executive branch. While at the Foundation, he assisted in the formation of the Coalition for Space Exploration and managed the Congressional Space Power Caucus, which was established to foster communication on national security space programs between members of Congress and the defense and intelligence communities.

Prior to joining the National Space Society in December 2002, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and campaign manager for U.S. Congressman Dave Weldon (R-FL). Chase managed Weldon’s Florida offices, served as his principal liaison to constituents, state and local elected officials, and business and community leaders, and provided strategic-level communications and policy advice in a wide range of areas. Chase previously worked for Rep. Weldon in his Washington office as his Press Secretary and Senior Legislative Assistant.

Prior to rejoining Rep. Weldon’s office in Florida, Chase was Manager of State Relations & Strategic Communications for NASA contractor United Space Alliance in Houston, where he led a interdisciplinary team of senior managers and executives charged with developing company-wide strategies for communications, public relations, and government affairs activities. He began his career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center as a cooperative education student and later as a Program Analyst with the International Space Station Program Office. He completed two assignments at NASA Headquarters in Washington before moving to Capitol Hill.

Chase has testified on space policy before the U.S. Congress and his quotes have been featured in leading news publications, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles TimesUSA Today, and the Washington Post. He has been a radio and television commentator on numerous national and regional outlets, including the Fox News Channel, CNBC, and C-SPAN.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and is a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.