Orbital Sciences Corp. announced that James Roche, former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and senior defense industry executive, has been appointed to the company’s board of directors as the 13th member.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Roche to our board of directors,” Orbital Chairman and CEO David Thompson said in a statement. “At a time when Orbital’s business is shifting toward U.S. military space and missile defense markets, as well as other adjacent national security areas, we expect that Jim’s decades of leadership experience in both government and the defense industry will provide Orbital with valuable strategic insights and practical operational wisdom as we aim to increase our presence in these markets.”

Roche served as the Secretary of the Air Force from 2001 to 2005. Prior to his appointment, Roche worked at Northrop Grumman from 1984 to 2000, where he ended his tenure with the company as its corporate vice president and president of its Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector. Prior to joining Northrop Grumman, Roche was the Democratic Staff Director of the Senate Armed Services Committee.