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Space Island Group Names Mike Gorbell as Vice President of Finance and Administration

Posted on Sep 15, 2003

West Covina, CA -- Space Island Group, leading developer of the world's first commercial space stations and space transportation systems, today announced that Mike Gorbell has assumed the position of Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Mike will assist in developing Space Island�s business alliance program and handle government relations for the project. He brings a unique understanding of how business and government can work together to accomplish their goals on time on budget. He also has extensive experience in working with major corporations in both administration and finance.

Mike was born in Los Angeles, California and holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Business Administration and Systems Management from the University of Southern California. He had a distinguished career as an officer in the United States Marine Corps where he held command and staff assignments in aviation, logistics, communications and intelligence.

Mike was responsible for the development of communications and intelligence organizations and doctrine for Marine Air-Ground Task Forces. Detailed to the Office of Naval Intelligence from 1979 through 1982, Captain Gorbell was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for his contributions in intelligence collection and all-source analysis.

Mr. Gorbell joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1982, where he developed customized, multidisciplinary administrative and operational support for foreign intelligence activities.

In 1988, he was selected by the CIA for external assignment to a management position as a liaison with leading Fortune 500 firms.

Other assignments include key roles in financial, operations, business department analysis, evaluation, proposal and contracting support, risk management, financial controls and employee benefits.

Prior to retiring from the CIA�s Senior Intelligence Service in 2000, Mr. Gorbell served as chief administrative officer of the Agency program responsible for worldwide commercial business operations. In this role, he led the development and application state-of-the-art technology, regulatory, legislative and organizational management solutions that produced noteworthy improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of this key intelligence community initiative.

Relocating to California�s Central Coast upon his retirement from CIA, Mr. Gorbell served as founding Chief Financial Officer of California Space Authority, Inc., a statewide space enterprise development organization that was designated by the State of California as its spaceport authority. In this capacity, he was responsible for the conceptualization, design and implementation of business and financial planning, management, accounting, contract administration and human resources systems that made possible a 300 percent growth in the company�s first year of operation.

Mr. Gorbell joined The Space Island Group in 2003 as Vice President, Finance and Administration.