Steven Lett

Diplomat, Chief Executive
Cospas-Sarsat

Speaker: Closing Session: Space Leaders Forum on Navigating the Fractured Geopolitical Landscape

Prior to joining Cospas-Sarsat, Lett was Deputy United States Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, immediately under Ambassadors Philip L. Verveer (2009-2011), David A. Gross (2001-2009) and Vonya B. McCann (1994-1999) at the U.S. Department of State. He directed the Office of Technology and Security Policy and was responsible for strategic international policy-making and diplomatic outreach for issues that included telecommunications and Internet security, the international satellite market, and emerging technologies. He was the U.S. representative at the 150-nation International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO, known as INTELSAT prior to privatization of INTELSAT’s commercial activities in 2001), and the 34-nation Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) Committee for Information, Computer and Communications Policy. He headed U.S. delegations in the 95-nation International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO, known as Inmarsat prior to privatization of Inmarsat’s commercial activities in 1999). Lett also has participated in committees and conferences of the United Nations, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Telecommunication Union where topics included the use of technology to advance aviation and maritime safety and security, improved access to information and communications technologies for the world’s poor, and greater efficiency in the international management of radio spectrum and satellite orbits. He has testified about satellite matters before the U.S. Senate.