Bolden to run NASA

Barack Obama has announced his intention to nominate General Charles Bolden to be the next NASA Administrator and Lori Garver to be his deputy. “These talented individuals will help put NASA on course to boldly push the boundaries of science, aeronautics and exploration in the 21st century and ensure the long-term vibrancy of America’s space program,” said Obama.

Charles Bolden

Bolden began his service in U.S. Marine Corps in 1968. He flew more than 100 sorties in Vietnam from 1972-73. In 1980, he was selected as an astronaut by NASA, flying two space shuttle missions as pilot and two missions as commander.

Bolden holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis and a M.S. in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

Following the Challenger accident in 1986, Bolden was named the Chief of the Safety Division at the Johnson Space Center with responsibilities for overseeing the safety efforts in the return-to-flight efforts. He was appointed Assistant Deputy Administrator of NASA headquarters in 1992.

Bolden retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2003 as the Commanding General of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing. He was Senior Vice President at TechTrans International, Inc. from 2003 until 2005. Currently he is the CEO of JackandPanther LLC, a privately-held military and aerospace consulting firm.

Lori Garver

Garver earned an M.S. in Science, Technology, and Public Policy from the George Washington University and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Colorado College.

In the mid-1990’s Garver served as a Senior Policy Analyst for NASA’s Office of Policy and Plans, and Special Assistant to the Administrator eventually rising to Associate Administrator of the Office of Policy and Plans. In this role she oversaw the analysis, development, and integration of NASA policies and long-range plans, the NASA Strategic Management System, and the NASA Advisory Council. Ms. Garver also served as a primary spokesperson for NASA.

Graver was the lead civil space policy advisor for Obama for America, and she helped lead the Agency Review Team for NASA during the Transition.

Currently Garver is the President of Capital Space, LLC, and has served as Senior Advisor for Space at the Avascent Group, a strategy and management consulting firm, based in Washington, D.C.

Paul Guinnessy