Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is highlighting the impact of its Logistics Management program through the experience of Zander Davidson, a student who recently completed an internship with the Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA). The program at TMCC aims to equip students with practical skills for careers in logistics, including supply chain management and aerospace operations.
Davidson, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Logistics Operations Management at TMCC, spent his summer as an intern at VSA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia. His responsibilities included inventory and warehouse management, calibration and cleaning of launch pad assets, and fleet management.
"My role as a logistics intern at VSA meant working directly with the logistics team responsible for everything that moves — from inventory and warehouse management to calibration and cleaning of assets on the launch pads, and fleet management," said Davidson. "It's all the behind-the-scenes work you don't often see but is absolutely critical to launching a rocket."
One major project involved bringing a vertical lift module from concept to reality. “I conducted extensive research, managed integration calls, and identified vendors that offered the right solutions,” Davidson recalled. He also worked on projects such as researching RFID tracking technology and managing asset inventories.
“Being part of launch support was both an honor and a challenge. If something goes wrong, we have to locate and deliver the necessary item quickly. Launches can extend late into the night, so being prepared for anything was essential,” Davidson explained.
Interns at VSA participate in facility tours at Wallops Island spaceport each week and witness rocket launches during their tenure. VSA manages several launch pads used for missions such as Antares rocket launches to the International Space Station.
"TMCC and the Logistics program have taught me so much about what logistics is like in the real world. It allowed me to come in, review the processes, identify bottlenecks, and focus on what needed to be done and why. TMCC prepared me to hit the ground running on day one at the spaceport," said Davidson.
Davidson noted that TMCC's emphasis on quality management systems—specifically AS9100 standards—was especially valuable during his internship because VSA had just acquired its AS9100 certification.
He credited faculty support for his readiness: "Professor (Brian) Addington's teaching goes beyond theory—he's experienced the aerospace logistics industry firsthand. Thanks to his guidance, I hit the ground running on day one with no confusion. I understood the 'why' behind every task and was able to contribute immediately."
Logistics remains a growing field in Northern Nevada with job growth projected at 18% over ten years. TMCC offers stackable credentials—including certificates as well as associate’s and bachelor’s degrees—with flexible scheduling options such as online coursework. The college partners with local employers to ensure course content aligns with workforce needs while providing students access to internships for practical experience.
Reflecting on his education at TMCC, Davidson stated: "It's hard to pick one class—each logistics course, especially quality management, was instrumental. The skills I gained build my confidence to contribute meaningfully even in short periods."
Davidson plans to use his internship experience alongside his degree from TMCC as he seeks opportunities within Northern Nevada’s expanding logistics sector: "By combining what I learned at the spaceport with my degree, I'm eager to develop my career in aerospace logistics. I've always looked up to the stars, and TMCC gave me the tools to reach them."
The college encourages those interested in logistics careers or internships within this sector to contact its Business Department for more information about available programs.