Nathaniel T. Hahn, Executive Director Evansville Regional Airport, Evansville, Indiana:
“I think it’s fantastic. Richard Branson was up there remembering as a child that he once watched space travelers, and now kids would have been watching him and becoming inspired to follow his footsteps. I think nearly everyone in the aviation industry aspires to have the opportunity to go to space.”
Eric Faulkner, President & CEO Citizens National Bank, Bluffton, Ohio:
“Well, it’s a technology thing, right? So, it makes me excited. Although would I be booking a ticket? If I asked my wife that question, she would tell me a resounding “Hell no!” and I would say she’s probably correct, because I don’t have very many fears in life but heights are one of them. So, it probably would not be my cup of tea, if you would, but man, it sure is exciting to see what’s up there and what we’re doing to kind of recharge a space program that’s been gone for a few years. I started my career working as a government contractor for NASA. So that’s dear to my heart.”
Brad Grose, President & CEO of Alpha Construction, Winesburg, Ohio:
“Technology is astounding in how far we’ve come. And it’s also a continued benefit of capitalism in the U.S. You have some very intelligent people driving industries that a few years ago never would have been dreamed of as being possible. They’ve taken on what was a government program and turned it into a potentially private enterprise. Obviously, it has a lot of proving to do before there’s a large group of people that would be willing, and could afford, to go. But with technology, they’ll find a way to make it more cost efficient and more available. I don’t know if I’d be on the second flight but I would buy a ticket… it just might be on a flight down the road a bit. It would be very cool.”
Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet, Burlington, Vermont:
“Personally, I’m fascinated by it. Every now and then I’ll have a moment where I see the moon and think, that is just amazing that we went there. So I really appreciate the ingenuity of humans, it’s just such an example for me of what we’re capable of when we put our mind to it. But it’s not something I would personally pursue because I’m pretty interested in our planet. I tend to go the other direction – I’m still learning about the woods and trees in my backyard. I want to know those well. And having my feet on the ground… I feel that there’s untapped learning for me here, right now.”
Barry Gaw, President Sippican Partners Construction, Ashland, New Hampshire:
“I would not consider it, the extent of my going vertical is confined to a ladder. But I think that it’s great that people are taking those risks and innovating because I think it will only better the way we function in the world. It’s pretty phenomenal.”
Steven Wright, Director of Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, Brainerd, Minnesota:
“That’s a very fitting question because during our last vacation I took my family down to Cape Canaveral to watch the SpaceX Falcon rocket launch. And my sons and I said, ‘Ya, we’re going to be on that first flight to Mars’. So, yes, as soon as I can afford a ticket, I’d love to be on that flight.”
