HUNTSVILLE — Robert La Branche has been named vice president of external affairs at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. His responsibilities include engaging with local, state, and federal leaders to build awareness of the Rocket Center and its programs, and to build partnerships to support them.

“It is a high honor to have the privilege to take this leadership position at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, an icon for the state of Alabama and a beacon for STEM education,” La Branche said. “I am passionate about the Rocket Center’s mission and look forward to serving in this capacity.”

La Branche had served as a part-time special assistant to CEO and Executive Director Dr. Kimberly Robinson.

“We are so excited to have Robert join the Rocket Center team full time.” said Robinson. “He has already proven to be a valuable asset in engaging government and industry leaders with our mission of education and inspiration.”

La Branche was an aerospace and defense consultant as the head of ReaL Strategies, which he founded in 2014. He also worked with the strategic communications team of the Space Launch System Program Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center from 2014-21.

He is a member of the Greater Huntsville Rotary Club, the Huntsville Committee of 100 and he will remain as executive director of the Military Stability Foundation as a volunteer.

Prior to moving to Huntsville, La Branche worked in Washington for eight years as a congressional staffer for U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and Reps. Parker Griffith, Bill Posey and John Culberson.

La Branche graduated from Huntingdon College and completed Air Command and Staff College in 2008, earning a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.