SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson released the following statement today on the death of Lonnie Sumpter, executive director of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority:

"Lonnie was a true public servant and dedicated the last 15 years of his life to building a new space industry in New Mexico," said Governor Bill Richardson. "As executive director of the NM Spaceport Authority he was a pioneer in his profession and a valued member of my Administration."

Statement from Rick Homans, Chairman of the New Mexico Spaceport Authority and Cabinet Secretary of Economic Development:

"Lonnie was the first director of the NM Spaceport Authority and he set the bar very, very high for all of those who will follow," said Rick Homans, chairman of the NMSA. "As we move forward, we will keep Lonnie in our thoughts and honor his memory with the success of the spaceport, which was his dream from the very start."