Suzanne C. Sterner

Suzy C. Sterner is the senior vice president of government relations for BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT). In this role, she is responsible for the development and execution of Congressional and Administration activities in support of BWXT’s strategic plan and business initiatives as well as promoting the company’s brand and reputation in Washington.

Ms. Sterner has more than 25 years of executive leadership experience in various industries including public affairs, space, defense and aviation. Prior to joining BWXT, she served as the senior director of congressional relations for Orbital ATK, Inc., (now Northrup Grumman) – a 13,000-employee, publicly traded company in space, defense and aviation. Maintaining her position through the acquisition, she coordinated strategic planning across business units’ programmatic, business development and communications teams. During her professional career, she was also vice president of government affairs for SAIC, a premier technology provider. At SAIC, Ms. Sterner was responsible for advocacy on behalf of corporate programs for NASA and the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and Energy.

Ms. Sterner was also the senior director of congressional relations for Exelis (now part of L3Harris Corporation) where she established a broad congressional network and implemented policy initiatives ranging from civil and military space to warfighter equipment. She also served more than six years with Aerojet Rocketdyne as director of congressional relations representing the company in civil, commercial and defense matters. During her tenure, she was also responsible for developing strategies with corporate leadership prime contractors and government customers, to the increase the company’s visibility and political reach.

Her experience also includes marketing, communications and public relations work serving as the vice president of TheWadeGroup, Inc., a public affairs consulting firm, and the director of marketing and external affairs at Arianespace, Inc. responsible for all public relations activities for the U.S.

Ms. Sterner earned a bachelor’s degree in international politics and economics from Middlebury College and a master’s degree in management from the University of Maryland University College. She is a current member and past president of both Women in Aerospace and the National Space Club. She is also a member of the National Concert Band of America.