Robert Villanueva

Robert Villanueva is a senior communications professional with experience in the corporate, agency and government sectors.  His expertise includes internal and external communications; business, financial and marketing communications; and executive counsel.

Villanueva served as a senior manager for The Boeing Company’s Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business unit where he led communications for the Engineering, Mission Assurance & Product Support (EMAPS) organization – Boeing’s largest organization (26,000 employees) and one of the world’s most advanced engineering and high technology workforces.  He also led communications for BDS’ Program Management organization that is responsible for all BDS program leaders.

Before this, Villanueva served as the acting communications director of Boeing Space Exploration supporting the International Space Station, Space Launch System, and Commercial Crew Vehicle – America’s replacement for the space shuttle.

Prior to this, Villanueva served as the senior external communications manager for Boeing Phantom Works – the growth and innovation organization of BDS.  In this role, he led communications for the pursuit and contract award of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Secure Border Initiative “SBINet” program.  He also supported Boeing’s deployment of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s screening machines at all U.S. airports following the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks.

Before this, Villanueva led external communications for Boeing's Delta rockets, space shuttle, International Space Station, and other space programs. This included the launches of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity," and NASA’s “Return to Flight” effort following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

Prior to joining Boeing, Villanueva worked for public relations agencies and integrated marketing communications firms representing aerospace and high technology companies.

Before entering agency public relations, Villanueva was a senior information officer for Northrop Grumman where he represented such aircraft programs as the B-2 Stealth Bomber.

Villanueva has a bachelor of arts in political science and a Professional Designation in Public Relations from the University of California, Los Angeles and UCLA Extension respectively; and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.  He teaches Corporate Communications at UCLA Extension, and serves his community of Huntington Beach, Calif., as the president of Ocean View Little League, the 2011 Little League World Series Champions.