A year after the start of the United Launch Alliance rocket joint venture, the company’s rocket scientists, engineers and other employees are working toward becoming a force in the Denver-area community, including encouraging more students to become interested in rockets, science and math.
The ULA, which has its headquarters in Centennial and major operations at Lockheed Martin’s Waterton facility in Jefferson County, has joined local chambers and business organizations and is encouraging employees to volunteer. The company has about 1,700 employees in Colorado and more than 4,000 nationwide.
“It’s not very often that you get to build a new culture or a corporate-citizenship program for a new company,” said Chris Chavez, the ULA’s senior manager of communications. “Denver doesn’t have a great base of corporate headquarters companies, so the ones that are here need to make a huge impact.”
The ULA is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin’s Atlas rocket program in Jefferson County and Boeing’s Delta rocket program from Huntington Beach, Calif.
Hundreds of employees moved from California to Colorado to work for the ULA. The company on Monday launched its 12th mission this year — a National Reconnaissance Office satellite.
Many Atlas employees were already involved in organizations while they worked for Lockheed Martin and are introducing those moving from California to the community here.
General counsel Kevin MacCary, who has become an “executive champion” for the company’s volunteer efforts, said that for the many ULA employees new to the area, “This is a great way to become part of a community — reach out a hand.”
John Brackney, president of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, said the ULA is a member of the chamber and is involved in the group’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Coalition.
“These are good people, and they’re going to be an infusion of talent, energy and passion into our community,” he said.
Like Lockheed Martin, the ULA uses its “rocket factory” as one of its ways to engage students, giving classroom tours.
“That’s what we want to be known for — creating that excitement, encouraging that next generation of rocket scientists to grow in this area,” said Chavez, who is leading much of the company’s community outreach.
Zach Richards, 24, optimizes flight-trajectory paths for ULA rockets and is working on a new program called Rocket Talks for ULA employees to give presentations at public schools about rockets and what the ULA does.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up in the rocket community and be exposed to the sciences of building a rocket and developing a rocket, and I want to share that experience with the younger generation,” Richards said.
While Lockheed Martin has more financial resources, “we have a lot of sweat equity,” MacCary said.
As with other companies, some employees are active volunteers on their own. ULA integration manager Kevin Runyon, for example, volunteers for Junior Achievement, teaching students about business and commerce and talking about the ULA’s rocket work.
In November, the ULA held a volunteer day for employees, who packaged food at Food Bank of the Rockies and painted the stage at Manual High School.
One of the more popular programs that employees volunteer with is the Operation Santa Claus program, a Lockheed Martin tradition that raises funds for toys and groceries for needy families, then delivers them before Christmas.
“Sometimes, you cry all the way home,” said Sharilyn Gilreath, a ULA facilities representative.
The delivery day this year is Thursday.
“Operation Santa Claus is real ly well known, especially among Lockheed Martin folks,” Gilreath said. “We’re teaching the Boeing Delta folks about it, and they’re getting behind it.”
Kelly Yamanouchi: 303-954-1488 or kyamanouchi@denverpost.com
