Dr. Elvert Gardner

Present Position and Recent Experience

Faculty at Georgetown University’s Strategic Studies Program, and Missouri State University’s Defense and Strategic Studies Program, instructing graduate and doctoral space policy and strategy courses. Strategic Space Account Manager at L3Harris, providing expertise on space operations, space warfighting, and space strategy. Routinely sought for panels and strategic insights on space matters.

Executive Summary

• 30 years of space operations and strategy experience spanning national security space, commercial space integration, space policy and strategy, and industry.

• Leadership in space cooperation, regulatory affairs, and commercial space integration.

• Active participant in space policy/regulatory discussions within the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the Office of Space Commerce (OSC).

• Deep expertise in space deterrence, active defense, space policy, and space warfighting

• Published thought leader on space security, AI applications in space, and commercial space contributions to deterrence.

Professional Experience

Strategic Account Manager for National Security Space Systems, L3Harris (2025-Present)

• Leads core strategic customer engagement efforts; guides and implements artificial intelligence adoption plans across the entire space sector; develops and implements business growth strategies; translates space strategies and policies into corporate actions.

Vice President of Space Operations, Aperio Global LLC (2024-2025)

• Leads space policy and regulatory alignment engagement, collaborating with US agencies and industry. Actively works with industry trade organizations to drive policy priorities.

• Advises on commercial space strategy and integration with national security frameworks.

Special Advisor, Office of Space Commerce Advisory Council (2024–March 2025)

• Developing regulatory reforms for remote sensing licensing and mission authorization—key to international space operations' safety, security, and long-term sustainability.

• Assisting in shaping US cooperation on space traffic management and commercial space integration; will serve as the model for international space traffic management

Director, Space Strategy, Policy, and Plans – US Space Force (2022-2024)

• Co-authored the US Space Force Commercial Space Strategy; drove cohesive direction to stimulate the commercial space industry for US and international partners.

• Crafted space policy papers and provided policy inputs that generated lasting and widespread impact across the national security, commercial, civil, and international space sectors. Directly supported the National Space Council and the National Security Council efforts to revise and improve space policies.

Teaching and Thought Leadership

Professor of Space Policy and Strategy, Georgetown University

• Developed and taught a course focusing on the geopolitics of space, transatlantic space cooperation, space security, international relations, and international space competition.

• Engaged students in policy case studies relevant to EU-US space relations.

Professor of Space Policy and Security, Missouri State University

• Designed and taught a space policy and security course emphasizing emerging technology, space security, space sustainability, and policy implications of dual-use technology.

Lead Instructor/Department Chair, National Defense University

• Co-developed courses on military strategy, warfighting, and information warfare, focusing on spacepower, deterrence, and cyber threats. Curriculum focus: Defense Industrial Base.

Thought Leadership and Publications

•      Featured Panelist: Northern Virginia Technology Council Community of Interest; “The Future of Space in Times of Change” (March 2025).

·      Featured Panelist: Fairfax County Board of Commissioners; “Space Growth in the DMV”, (February 2025).

·      Panelist: Space Leadership Roundtable with Senator Mark Warner (February 2025)

·      Interview: Washington Business Journal; “Opportunities and Challenges for Space in the DMV”, (January 2025). https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2025/01/24/executive-insights-el-gardner-aperio-global.html

·      Panel Moderator: Space Access Mobility and Logistics Conference, February 2024.

·      Podcast Interviewee: 'The Fight for the Final Frontier: Irregular Warfare in Space' (Irregular Warfare Initiative, February 2024).

·      Featured Panelist: 'Space and Deterrence Campaigning' (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, October 2023).

Recent Publications:

·      'Building a Purpose-Built Space Force: Toward a Better State of Spacepower' (Space Force Association Magazine, Dec 2024).

·      'Small Satellites and AI: A New Frontier in Space Defense and Deterrence' (Space Force Association Magazine, Sept 2024).

Education

Missouri State University

Doctor of Defense and Strategic Studies (with Distinction)

Capstone Research Project: Commercial Space Contributions to Deterrence

Nonproliferation Policy Education Center (NPEC)

Space Policy Fellowship

National Defense University

Master of National Security and Resource Strategy (with Distinction)

School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (Air University)

Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy

Air Command and Staff College (Air University)

Master of Science in Aerospace Science (with Distinction)

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Master of Business Administration

Tuskegee University

Bachelor of Science in History, Minor in Computer Science

Skills & Expertise

•   Space Policy & Regulation (US & EU)

•   Commercial Space & National Security

•   Transatlantic Space Strategy & Industrial Competitiveness

•   Geopolitics of Space & Defense Strategy

•   AI & Space Domain Awareness

•   Space Traffic Management & Commercial Licensing

·    Business Development and Capture Management