The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Pinnacle Awards were announced Oct. 13, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place virtually Dec. 8.
Next is Space Industry Executive of the Year (Public Company) finalist Clint Crosier, who’s director of aerospace and satellite solutions at Amazon Web Services. Here, he talks key achievements, learning from failures, proud career moments and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2020/2021?
One key activity was standing up the U.S. Space Force in 2020, and then retiring from the U.S. Air Force to stand up a brand new aerospace and satellite business for Amazon Web Services. In this capacity, we have created the brand new space/cloud industry, as we focus on brining cloud solutions and technology to solve the hardest problems in the growing space industry.
What has made you successful in your current role?
The fact that at AWS, we are obsessed with our customers’ success, and have focused the vast expertise of our space team on innovating side by side with our customers to move the space industry into the future.
What are your primary focuses going forward, and why are those so important to the future of the nation?
Helping government, civil and commercial space companies grow the global space economy, push the limits of science and discovery, and leverage the space industry and space data to improve life here on Earth.
How do you help shape the next generation of government leaders/industry leaders?
I have always believed that developing the next generation of leaders to follow behind should be one of the most important priorities for all leaders. When on active duty, I often led and mentored our company grade officers program to develop our next-generation of military space leaders, and have also thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Space Foundation’s New Generation Leaders forum for the past five years at the International Space Symposium.
What’s one key thing you learned from a failure you had?
Never quit, and always have a positive attitude. Oftentimes, we learn more from our failures than our successes, and with that approach, I strive to always help my team to improve.
Looking back at your career, what are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my work as the lead architect and planner for the stand up of the U.S. Space Force, the first new U.S. military service in 72 years. Successfully building an implementation plan that was approved the Defense Department, Congress and ultimately, the president was the highlight of my military career, and the best possible transition point to retire and transition to the business community.
What’s your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
Identify a mission or activity that you love — no one can achieve their ultimate potential without doing something they have a passion for — and then work as hard as you can to learn, contribute, and grow in any opportunity you are given.
The best way to develop a path for success, is to thrive in your current role before chasing the next one. Master the task at hand, and then attack the next one with a positive attitude and passion for teamwork and success.