STEVE KANE
Executive Director
Mr. Kane serves as Executive Director of SpaceTEC Partners, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit corporation and National Science Foundation (NSF) National Aerospace Resource Center located in Titusville, FL and established to support development of a robust aerospace workforce.
With over 40 years in aviation and aerospace, Mr. Kane began his career as an Aviation Structural Mechanic (AMS) in the US Navy and leveraged this training and experience to become an FAA Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) mechanic in the regional airline industry. During his commercial aviation career, Mr. Kane served in increasingly responsible positions at multiple airlines, including mechanic, shift supervisor, project manager, lead inspector, facility manager and Director of Quality Assurance.
Mr. Kane later joined Lockheed Space Operations, NASA’s Space Shuttle Program prime contractor as Shuttle Systems Inspector at Vandenberg AFB, CA, Armstrong Flight Research Facility at Edwards AFB, CA and at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the ensuing three decades, Mr. Kane worked all aspects of Human Spaceflight as an inspector, Quality Engineer, QC Manager and Quality Assurance staff, including facilities activation, ground support equipment operation and maintenance, space vehicle processing, launch operations and post-landing recovery.
His work at the Kennedy Space Center included designing and implementing a training and certification program meeting American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Level II requirements for inspectors performing work on NASA spacecraft and associated flight hardware. In parallel with his work at Lockheed Martin and United Space Alliance, Mr. Kane earned degrees in Quality Technology from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria CA, a BS in Professional Aeronautics and MS in Technical Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and industry certifications as ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing) Level III, SpaceTEC Certified Aerospace Technician® with Examiner rating, and L6S Black Belt.
Following retirement of the Space Shuttle program in late 2011, Mr. Kane joined the SpaceTEC National Resource Center team as Program Manager, then became Deputy Director, assuming duties as Executive Director in Jan. 2014. In his present capacity Mr. Kane manages the day-to-day operations of the National Science Foundation Aerospace National Resource Center, SpaceTEC Partners, Inc., 501c3 non-profit corporation providing performance-based certifications and workforce development support; and the MakerTEC Coordination Network, a collection of resources dedicated to supporting job creators with talent supply solutions through a national network of over 100 colleges, military, government, and industry partners.
In his spare time, Mr. Kane enjoys travelling, exploring new areas with his wife Linda, and hobbies including cross-country motorcycle rides, researching/collecting/restoring antiques, vintage automobiles and classic motorcycles. Mr. Kane is a member of Rotary International and volunteers as a court-appointed guardian, overseeing the personal and financial needs of a disabled Veteran and former Shuttle worker.