posted May 23, 2009 08:35 AM               

President Barack Obama meets with General Charles Bolden, right, and White House aides earlier this week in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.

Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: General Charles Bolden, Administrator of NASA and Lori Garver, Deputy Administrator of NASA.

President Obama said, "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."

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals today:

Gen. Charles Bolden, Nominee for Administrator of NASA
Charles Bolden retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2003 as the Commanding General of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing after serving more than 34 years, and is currently CEO of JackandPanther LLC, a privately-held military and aerospace consulting firm. Gen. 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. Following the Challenger accident in 1986, Gen. 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. He was Senior Vice President at TechTrans International, Inc. from 2003 until 2005. Gen. 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.

Lori Garver, Nominee for Deputy Administrator of NASA
Lori 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. She was the lead civil space policy advisor for Obama for America, and she helped lead the Agency Review Team for NASA during the Transition. She has intimate familiarity with the agency and knows well the challenges it faces. From 1998 to 2001, Ms. Garver served as NASA's Associate Administrator of the Office of Policy and Plans. Reporting to the NASA Administrator, 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. Prior to this appointment, she served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Policy and Plans, and Special Assistant to the Administrator. Ms. 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.

posted May 23, 2009 08:52 AM               

NASA is at a true crossroads now, especially with respect to the future of manned spaceflight at a time of massive federal deficits. What can NASA do best with a limited budget?

During the height of Apollo, NASA received 5% of the federal budget. It's current $18 billion budget is less than 0.5% of the total budget. NASA cannot do all the things on its plate with a tenth of the relative budget it had 45 years ago.

posted May 23, 2009 06:25 PM               

Senator Hutchison's Statement on President's Intent to Nominate Charles Bolden to Head NASA

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement on the President's intent to nominate Charles Bolden to be the next NASA Administrator.

"I am delighted that the President intends to nominate retired Marine General and astronaut Charles Bolden to be the next NASA Administrator. He brings the enthusiasm for science and exploration that NASA needs at this crucial time in its history.

"I talked to General Bolden today following the announcement of his intended nomination. We discussed the importance of finishing the space station so the scientific research can be fully supported. He and I agree that space exploration is essential for America's future security and we look forward to working together to continue America's preeminence in space.

"I believe the Commerce Committee will move expeditiously to consider this nomination, and that of the nominee for Deputy NASA Administrator, Lori Garver upon receiving their paperwork. I look forward to working with them as we move ahead to preserve America's leadership in space."

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller praised the choice and said he'll move the nomination through the confirmation process "in short order."

"General Bolden's 34 years of service to this country as a United States Marine is incredibly admirable and will bring just the kind of leadership and management NASA needs as America launches a new era of innovation, creativity and prosperity," the West Virginia Democrat said in a statement.

posted May 24, 2009 11:51 AM               

She also is "one of us", someone with a lifelong passion for space exploration, who has the experience translating that enthusiasm into messages that Congress can understand.

posted May 24, 2009 02:41 PM               

I don't know her personally, but she did a great job as NSS executive director. She has always been passionate about space exploration.

As a "Beltway Insider," she knows the ins and outs of politics, Congress and the White House. She has ties to the Obama campaign which may prove useful.

Her experience complements that of Gen. Bolden, who, despite a brief stint at NASA Headquarters, is a Washington novice. Gen. Bolden provides great leadership, technical expertise, and NASA experience. Ms. Garver provides political connections and skills to help accomplish NASA's goals.

posted May 26, 2009 09:41 PM            

When I was the chairperson for the Space Frontier Foundation Lunar Conferences in 2000-01 she came out and spoke of her passion for this.

An excellent choice!

Of Gen. Bolden, he isn't just there for the job, he will take us 'to Bolden go where no one has gone before'.

posted May 28, 2009 08:33 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by kr4mula:
In the interest of fairness (or just playing devil's advocate) - has anyone seen any valid criticism or concern over it?

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Unfortunately, General Bolden lacks deep expertise in space science and engineering and his past ties with the aerospace industry will raise conflict of interest problems. Before the Senate confirms him, it should probe how well fitted he is to guide the agency through a difficult transition from the space shuttle to follow-on vehicles designed to reach the Moon and beyond.

posted May 28, 2009 10:04 AM               

The president's choice for deputy administrator, Lori B. Garver, is a policy specialist who has served at NASA, in private space organizations, and as a consultant. She advised John Kerry in 2004 and Hillary Clinton in 2008 before switching to the winning Obama team and helping to lead its transition review for the space program. She has no technical background or major managerial experience but knows the agency and its issues.

posted June 30, 2009 09:26 AM               

Charles Bolden, President Barack Obama's pick to become the next NASA administrator, is expected to go before the Senate next week for a confirmation hearing.

The former astronaut and retired Marine Corps general will go before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on July 8, according to the office of Sen. Bill Nelson. The Florida Democrat sits on the panel and heads its Space, Aeronautics and Related Sciences subcommittee.

The committee, which has yet to officially post the hearing, also was expected to consider the nomination of Lori Garver as NASA's deputy administrator.

posted July 15, 2009 07:03 PM               

Charlie Bolden just confirmed by Senate as nation's new space czar. He's perfect to keep America leading in space, science and technology.

I've known Charlie Bolden the better part of a quarter century, since he was my pilot on the space shuttle in 1986.

Naval academy grad, Marine test pilot, astronaut, general -- Charlie will bring back the magic from a time when we rode rockets to the moon.

posted July 16, 2009 06:21 AM               

Bolden and Garver Confirmed by U.S. Senate

Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as the twelfth administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Lori Beth Garver was confirmed as NASA's deputy administrator.

As administrator, Bolden will lead the NASA team and manage its resources to advance the agency's missions and goals.

"It is an honor to have been nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to lead this great NASA team," Bolden said. "Today, we have to choose. Either we can invest in building on our hard-earned world technological leadership or we can abandon this commitment, ceding it to other nations who are working diligently to push the frontiers of space."

"If we choose to lead, we must build on our investment in the International Space Station, accelerate development of our next generation launch systems to enable expansion of human exploration, enhance NASA's capability to study Earth's environment, lead space science to new achievements, continue cutting-edge aeronautics research, support the innovation of American entrepreneurs, and inspire a rising generation of boys and girls to seek careers in science, technology, engineering and math."

Bolden's confirmation marks the beginning of his second stint with NASA. His 34-year career with the Marine Corps included 14 years as a member of NASA's Astronaut Office. After joining the office in 1980, he traveled to orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994, commanding two of the missions. His flights included deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope and the first joint U.S.-Russian shuttle mission, which featured a cosmonaut as a member of his crew.

During his astronaut career, Bolden also drew technical assignments as the Astronaut Office safety officer; technical assistant to the director of Flight Crew Operations; special assistant to the director of the Johnson Space Center; chief of the Safety Division at Johnson (overseeing safety efforts for the return to flight after the 1986 Challenger accident); lead astronaut for vehicle test and checkout at the Kennedy Space Center; and assistant deputy administrator at NASA Headquarters. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in May 2006.

Immediately prior to Bolden's nomination for the NASA administrator's job, he was employed as the chief executive officer of JACKandPANTHER LLC, a small business enterprise providing leadership, military and aerospace consulting, and motivational speaking. A resident of Houston, the 62-year-old South Carolina native earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical science from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968. He completed flight training in 1970 and became a naval aviator, serving as a combat pilot in Southeast Asia and later, as a test pilot. Bolden retired from the Marine Corps in 2003 with the rank of major general.

Like Bolden, Garver's confirmation as deputy administrator marks the second time she has worked for NASA. Her first stint at the agency was from 1996 to 2001. Initially, she served as a special assistant to the NASA administrator and senior policy analyst for the Office of Policy and Plans, before becoming the associate administrator for the Office of Policy and Plans. Reporting to the NASA administrator, she oversaw the analysis, development and integration of policies and long-range plans, the NASA Strategic Management System, and the NASA Advisory Council.

As deputy administrator, Garver will be NASA's second in command. She is responsible to the administrator for providing overall leadership, planning, and policy direction for the agency. Garver will represent NASA to the Executive Office of the President, Congress, heads of government agencies, international organizations, and external organizations and communities. She also will oversee the work of NASA's functional offices, including the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of General Counsel and Office of Strategic Communications.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to serve under Charlie Bolden's leadership," Garver said. "My previous five years at NASA exposed me to the incredible talent of the workforce there. The unbelievable achievements of this team over its 50-year history are unmatched. I look forward to working with Charlie and the NASA team to make our agency work as effectively as it can for the American people."

A 48-year-old Michigan native, Garver earned a bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Colorado College in 1983. Her focus immediately turned to space when she accepted a job working for Sen. John Glenn from 1983 to 1984. She since has served in a variety of senior roles in the nonprofit, government and commercial sectors.

From January 2001 until her nomination as NASA's deputy administrator, Garver was a full-time consultant as the president of Capital Space, LLC, and senior advisor for space at the Avascent Group. In these roles, she provided strategic planning, technology feasibility research and business development assistance, as well as merger, acquisition and strategic alliance support, to financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies.