Building from the Ground Up: Construction Management Steps Into the Space Economy

The Space Workforce Institute (SWI) joined more than 1,500 professionals at the Construction Management Association of America’s (CMAA) 2025 National Conference for the opening plenary session, Building from the Ground Up: A New Type of Infrastructure.

The session, Building the Backbone of the Space Economy: Infrastructure for the Edge of Everywhere, explored how construction managers are becoming central players in the rapidly expanding space economy, an industry expected to surpass $2 trillion in the coming decade.

Moderated by Khaled Naja, PE, CCM, NAC, CEO of Core Group Partners, the panel featured:

• Andrew Nelson, Vice President | Discipline Leader, Aerospace, RS&H
• Toni Balzano, Vice President of Strategy and Communications, Q Station
• Brian Miske, Americas Space Lead & National Leader KPMG Ignition, KPMG
• Bill West, ICE-CCP, MBA, Executive Director, Space Workforce Institute

Together, they addressed the urgent need for collaboration between the construction and space industries as both prepare to build the infrastructure that will define humanity’s next era of exploration.

“Space isn’t just a frontier, it’s a framework. Integrating space technologies and thinking about how to incorporate it into our construction ecosystems means building smarter, more resilient infrastructure and cultivating a workforce ready to engineer the future. We need to look at everything we are doing and building right now and think about how it will be applied to space.” — Toni Balzano

(Toni Balzano speaking on stage at CMAA 2025)

From launch pads to mission control centers, “spaceports are the new airports.” Construction managers are taking on projects with complexities that rival aviation hubs, requiring new skill sets in aerospace safety, modular construction, and mission assurance.

Panelists discussed how ground infrastructure such as data relay stations, control centers, and secure telemetry networks forms the literal backbone of space operations.

“The backbone of the space economy isn’t rockets, it’s the infrastructure beneath them. Construction managers are the unsung heroes of the next frontier.” — Brian Miske, Principal, KPMG LLP

(Brian Miske, KPMG, during the plenary session)

The industry conversation has turned toward the workforce readiness gap, the growing shortage of engineers, technicians, and project managers capable of delivering space-related infrastructure safely and efficiently.

While new spaceports are being planned around the world, many face the challenge of sustaining the required launch cadence due to workforce constraints.

“The next decade in space will see challenges in meeting the launch cadence demand at spaceports and the concomitant challenge of staffing highly trained engineers, technicians, and safety staff in the broader workforce to ensure safer operations that protect the uninvolved public.” — Andrew Nelson

(Andrew Nelson addressing the panel audience)

Panelists agreed that the space economy does not have a talent problem, it has a readiness problem.

That is where the Space Workforce Institute steps in. As the industry’s bridge between employers, educators, and certification bodies, SWI is shaping workforce standards and pathways to ensure professionals are equipped for the transition into space infrastructure.

“Don’t forget about the people! A key risk to reaching the $2T+ space economy is the lack of a fully staffed, resilient workforce and we are way behind. That is why SWI exists, to bring the space industry together to create pathways in and ongoing professional development through adoption of workforce standards and professional credentials.” — Bill West, Executive Director, Space Workforce Institute

(Bill West, Executive Director of SWI, with panelists on stage)

The Construction Workforce: Building the Next Frontier

Construction managers are no longer limited to terrestrial projects. They are now critical collaborators in spaceport development, advanced manufacturing facilities, and even future lunar habitats.
By integrating aerospace-level risk management and modular construction approaches, the construction profession is positioned to lead the way in building the infrastructure for the edge of everywhere.

As the space economy accelerates, collaboration between construction and aerospace professionals is not just desirable, it is essential. The future is being built today, and the foundation starts on the ground.

About the Space Workforce Institute

The Space Workforce Institute (SWI) is playing a critical role in addressing the issues impacting the space industry, and propelling the tremendous opportunities! By aligning industry needs with education, training, and credentialing resources, the Institute seeks to be the thought leader for establishing space workforce standards, building job role credentials and developing a comprehensive body of knowledge.

Learn more at www.spaceworkforce.org.

Media Contact:

Bill West

Executive Director, Space Workforce Institute

Email: Bill@spaceworkforce.org