GPS Innovation Alliance

“James a. Kirkland and anne m. Ciganer- business relationship; andrew r. Etkind and scott burgett -- business relationship; mark n. Lewellen and mark l. Rentz -- business relationship.”

“The alliance delegated control over management duties to management companies, mike international, llc and heather mcnatt hennessey, llc. Mike international was paid $150,0000 and heather mcnatt hennessey was paid $99,996 in 2017 to handle the day-to-day operations of the organization; coordinate and correspond with vendors and others; maintain the books and records of the organizations and all other matters as directed by the board of directors.”

“The organization's bylaws provide for two classes of members: principal members and regular members. All members of the organization are corporations (or other business entities) rather than individuals.”

“The organization's bylaws provide for two classes of members: principal members and regular members. Each principal member names two individuals as members of the organization's board of directors.”

“When the alliance takes action that requires the approval of both the members and the board under the governance documents (e.g., amendment of the articles of incorporation), evidence of approval of both the members and the board of directors is required.”

“Form 990 is prepared by the alliance's accountant in consultation with the alliance's executive director and then circulated to the alliance's officers (each of whom is a member of the alliance's board of directors) for review.”

“The alliance bylaws provide that any member may recuse himself from participation in any specific alliance activities and/or issue in which a conflict of interest arises. In addition, the board of directors is small and members work closely together and would be aware of many conflicts of interest. The board of directors, upon information known to it by any source, may also require recusal on specific issues or specific activities by any member. We have never had an instance where such conflicts have been identified or recusal has been required.”

“Members of the board of directors and officers of the organization serve without compensation. The organization has no employees. The organization has engaged two independent contractors to provide the services of executive director. (see response to part vi-a, line 3 in schedule o.) the executive committee of the organization, each of whose members is a director of the organization, reviewed and approved the compensation of both executive directors in 2014, based on a review of compensation data for comparable organizations and documented these deliberations. Compensation has not been increased for either of the contractors providing executive director services since then.”

“The alliance makes available to the public upon request its federal tax exemption application on irs form 1024 and its three most recent annual information returns on irs form 990, which documents include the alliance's articles of incorporation, bylaws, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements.”

“Further activities included: participated in plans to organize the annual munich satellite navigation summit conference, hosted by the technical university of the german military. When the conference was cancelled due to unforeseen administrative factors, we worked with the organizers to devise a program for the following year conference. Worked with the us state department sponsored international committee on gnss (icg) to provide background information on technical characteristics of commercial gps receivers and overall market information. Arranged for private meetings with key japanese political leaders to consult on formation of new office of national space policy under the cabinet office to oversee and direct coordinated overall japanese space policy, including japanese satellite navigation project, qzss, which works in conjunction with gps. Conducted a series of meetings with senior level japanese government officials to provide background information on gps technical requirements and operational sensitivities in order to help guide japanese initiatives with the us and other nations to provide coordinated supplements to gps via qzss. Tracked the evolution and continuing reorganization of responsibilities of the european authorities overseeing the galileo program. Kept abreast of the changing responsibilities and personnel of the european commission, european space agency and the gnss supervisory authority. Gpsia continues to play an active role in the civil g.p.s. Service interface committee (cgsic), and works to assist in developing the agenda and program for meeting of the cgsic. The annual meeting for cgsic in 2015 was held in tampa, fl. Cgsic was established by the department of transportation to maintain a dialog with the civilian user community on g.p.s. Policy and management issues. Usgic members routinely provide briefings to meetings of the group.”

“Public relations/other consultancy(see also part vii-b) 368,342.”