Conference Committee and Speakers

Ken Ruffin is a Senior Environmental Engineer for one of the largest electric utilities in the USA, with over 25 years of experience in air quality inspections, consulting, permit applications, and compliance in both public and private organizations. For several years, Ken has also been an Executive Committee member of the Dallas Electric Club. Growing up first in the Bronx, New York City, then in North Carolina, Ken was an L-5 Society member while attending Southeast Halifax High School and North Carolina State University. As an undergraduate, Ken initially studied Aerospace Engineering, then switched to Mechanical Engineering. 

In 2010 Ken became an active member of the National Space Society Chapter in North Texas (NSS-NT) in the Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) Metroplex. In 2011 he started giving presentations on space travel and space development and became President of the Chapter that same year, being re-elected to that position for five one-year terms. Since 2016 he has served as Chapter Vice-President. During each year from 2013-2018, NSS-NT has earned an NSS Chapter Excellence Award four times, and the NSS Chapter of the Year Award twice. In 2018, Ken was presented an NSS Chapter Leaders Award from the NSS Chapters Committee. In 2016, Ken was elected to serve a two-year term on the  Board of Directors of the National Space Society and was subsequently elected to serve on the NSS Board of Advisors. 

Across the DFW Metroplex and beyond, Ken has given well over one hundred space presentations, been a speaker during space panel discussions at conventions, and has been interviewed by several TV and radio news stations and newspapers. Ken strives to inform and inspire people of all ages and all backgrounds about the latest and greatest information on space travel, space development, and space settlement from NASA, commercial spaceflight companies, universities, and associated organizations. Ken is fully committed to explaining these subjects—and the NSS mission and vision—to interested members of the general public. 

Khiem has been in his current role, 737NG/MAX Deputy Fleet Chief, for seven years and a total of 35 years with the Boeing Company.  Prior to this role, for 8 years, Khiem supported Ryanair as Airline Support Engineering.​

Khiem also spent a total of 11 years as 757/767 Maintenance Instructor and as the 747/757/767/777 Maintenance Training Assistant Manager. ​

In the mid 90’s, Khiem served as the co-chair for the 737NG Engine/APU working group.  The working groups performed MSG-3 analysis that led to scheduled maintenance in the MPD. Khiem routinely teaches Introduction to MSG-3 at Boeing.​

Khiem holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, 1986.  Completed Certificate of Leadership Mastery Program at UCLA, Dec 2020.​

Khiem actively supports mentoring programs:  NSBE and JumpStart. Currently hold the role of Air Safety Technical Leader for NSBE Aerospace SIG.  Khiem also serves as an advisor for our Transformative Leadership in Disruptive Times at the University of California, Riverside Extension.​

Outside of work, he enjoys cycling, tennis and making sushi.​