Stephen Gourley

Vice Chair of the Board for Aerospace Education

Stephen Gourley, Vice Chair of the Board for Aerospace Education, is the volunteer leader guiding the overall direction of the AFA Education Mission and overseeing its Aerospace Education Programs. He has previously served as Mile High Chapter President, Colorado State EVP and President, National Director at Large, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, and is currently the Vice Chairman of the AFA Education Council. Gourley has also served as Director of the StellarXplorers program, AFA’s space and STEM competition, leading and growing the program from its inception to the national competition it is today. AFA awards include the Medal of Merit, Exceptional Service Award, and Chairman’s Award.

Gourley earned a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering and a Master of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Gourley retired from the US Air Force as Colonel after a 26-year career in space acquisition and operations. In the course of his career, he worked in science and technology, research and development, acquisition, test and evaluation, operations and maintenance, and command of space systems of the highest national importance. His experience includes leadership, strategic planning, program management, system engineering, defense planning, programming, budgeting, contract management, flight test planning, and test and evaluation.