HOUSTON, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott launched the Texas Area Fee Tuesday and introduced the inaugural members of the Texas Area Fee Board of Administrators and the Texas Aerospace Analysis and Area Economic system Consortium (TARSEC) Government Committee at NASA’s Johnson Area Heart. The Texas Area Fee will cement Texas’ place as a nationwide chief within the area business and can safe its future in area exploration and growth for the following era of Texans.
“Since its very inception, NASA’s Johnson Area Heart has been house to manned spaceflight, propelling Texas because the nationwide chief within the U.S. area program,” mentioned Governor Abbott. “It was at Rice College the place President John F. Kennedy introduced that the U.S. would put a person on the moon—not as a result of it was simple, however as a result of it was laborious. Now, with the Texas Area Fee, our nice state may have a gaggle that’s accountable for dreaming and attaining the following era of human exploration in area. Texas is the launchpad for Mars, innovating the expertise that may colonize humanity’s first new planet. As we glance into the way forward for area, one factor is obvious: those that attain for the celebrities achieve this from the nice state of Texas. I sit up for working with the Texas Area Fee, and I thank the Texas Legislature for partnering with business and larger schooling establishments to safe the way forward for Texas’ strong area business.”
The Governor was joined on the announcement by Speaker Dade Phelan, Consultant Greg Bonnen, Consultant Dennis Paul, NASA’s Johnson Area Heart Director Vanessa Wyche, and different state and aerospace business leaders. Previous to the announcement, the Governor toured NASA’s Mission Management Heart and spoke with native Texan and NASA Astronaut Loral O’Hara through Worldwide Area Station feed.
“Texas is house to trailblazers and innovators, and we have now a wealthy historical past of traversing the ultimate frontier: area,” mentioned Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “Texas is and can proceed to be the epicenter for the area business throughout the globe, and I’ve whole confidence that my appointees to the Texas Area Fee Board of Administrators and the Texas Aerospace Analysis and Area Economic system Consortium Government Committee will make sure the Texas area business stays a world powerhouse for cutting-edge area innovation.”
“Texas boasts a proud legacy as our nation’s main pioneer in area exploration and innovation,” mentioned Speaker Phelan. “From NASA’s historic area operations on the Johnson Area Heart to the 1000’s of aerospace corporations that now name our state house, Texas has stood on the forefront of the growth and evolution of the dynamic area business. This previous session, the Texas Legislature devoted necessary funding and sources that may assist Texas’ aggressive edge in civil, industrial and army aerospace alternatives and additional area exploration. I wish to thank Consultant Bonnen and our Home colleagues for his or her work on this laws, in addition to the distinguished appointees to the newly created entities that may information these groundbreaking efforts for the State of Texas.”
“I wish to thank Governor Abbott for working with members of the Texas Legislature in cementing Texas’ place as a nationwide chief,” mentioned Senator Huffman. “With the creation of the Texas Area Fee, we are going to be sure that Texas corporations and researchers cleared the path within the growth and exploration of area.”
“Texas has led human area exploration for the reason that starting,” mentioned Consultant Bonnen. “Texas is the house of manned spaceflight and coaching, the curation of astromaterials, and the event of the world’s first tremendous heavy elevate reusable launch automobile. The Texas Area Fee and Area Consortium will additional cement Texas because the preeminent location for exploration, analysis, and growth of area within the new age of area flight.”
The Texas Area Fee will work to strengthen Texas’ confirmed management in civil, industrial, and army aerospace exercise by selling innovation within the fields of area exploration and industrial aerospace alternatives, together with the mixing of area, aeronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economic system. The Fee is ruled by a nine-member board of administrators, who will even administer the legislatively created Area Exploration and Aeronautics Analysis Fund to offer grants to eligible entities.
TARSEC will independently determine analysis alternatives inside this state that strengthen Texas’ confirmed management in civil, industrial, and army aerospace exercise; improve this state’s place in aeronautics analysis and growth, astronautics, area commercialization, and area flight infrastructure; and increase the mixing of area, aeronautics, astronautics, and aviation industries into the Texas economic system. TARSEC is ruled by an government committee and might be composed of representatives of every larger schooling establishment within the state, who will even present funding and analysis suggestions to the Texas Area Fee.
The Governor, together with Lieutenant Governor Patrick and Speaker Phelan, appointed 9 members to the Texas Area Fee Board of Administrators. The Governor appointed Gwen Griffin, Kathy Lueders, and John Shannon to the Board of Administrators for phrases set to run out January 31, 2025, January 31, 2027, and January 31, 2029, respectively. The Lieutenant Governor appointed Sarah “Sassie” Duggleby, Kirk Shireman, and Evan Loomis, and the Speaker appointed Dr. Heather Wilson, Dr. Nancy Currie-Gregg, and Brad Morrison to the Board of Administrators.
Gwen Griffin of Houston is the chief government officer of the Griffin Communications Group. She is the chief director of Membership for the Future, 2024 chair of the Bay Space Houston Financial Partnership, and chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Sciences on the College of Central Florida. Moreover, she is a member of the Area Heart Houston Board of Administrators, Conrad Basis Advisory Board, and trustee of the Astronaut Scholarship Basis. Griffin acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the College of Central Florida.
Kathy Lueders of Brownsville is the overall supervisor of Starbase at SpaceX. She labored at NASA for over three many years, serving in numerous roles corresponding to affiliate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, industrial crew program supervisor, and worldwide area station program transportation integration supervisor. She is a member of the Nationwide Academy of Engineers and Area & Satellite tv for pc Corridor of Fame. Lueders acquired a Bachelor of Enterprise Administration in Finance from the College of New Mexico and a Grasp of Science in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State College.
John Shannon of Houston is the vice chairman of Exploration Techniques on the Boeing Firm, the place he’s accountable for all elements of human spaceflight. Beforehand, he labored for NASA on the Johnson Area Heart for 26 years, serving as a flight director and area shuttle program supervisor. He’s a board member for the Coalition for Deep Area Exploration and the American Astronautical Society and member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Manned Spaceflight Operations Affiliation. Moreover, he’s an academician for the Worldwide Astronautical Federation. Shannon acquired a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M College and accomplished this system for administration growth at Harvard Enterprise Faculty.
Sarah “Sassie” Duggleby of Friendswood is the CEO and co-founder of Venus Aerospace Corp. She was beforehand a launch methods engineering and mission administration guide at Virgin Orbit. She is a women soccer coach for the American Youth Soccer Group and an advisor for Delta Gamma at Texas A&M College. She can also be a volunteer for the youngsters’s and youth ministries at Seacoast Grace Church, Grace Bible Church, and Northstar Church. Duggleby acquired a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Texas A&M College and a Grasp of Enterprise Administration (MBA) from Virginia Polytechnic College.
Kirk Shireman of Pearland is the vice chairman of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin. He’s on the chief committee and board of administrators for the Bay Space Houston Financial Partnership, board of administrators for Area Heart Houston, board of advisors for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, and board of advisors for the Texas A&M Aerospace Engineering Advisory Board. He was beforehand on the board of administrators for the Lutheran Academic Basis of Houston. Shireman earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M College.
Evan Loomis of Austin is the co-founder of ICON, a common companion in Overmatch Ventures, a founding companion of Saturn 5, a enterprise companion for Audere Capital LLC, and an adjunct professor at Texas A&M College. He’s a life member of the Council on International Relations and board member of EMCJET. He’s additionally a volunteer for Praxis Labs and a member of the Christ Church of Austin. Loomis earned a finance diploma from Texas A&M College.
Heather Wilson, Ph.D., of El Paso is the president of The College of Texas at El Paso. She beforehand served because the secretary of america Air Drive and as a U.S. Congresswoman for a decade. She is a member of the Nationwide Science Board and is chair of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Analysis Universities. Dr. Wilson earned an undergraduate diploma from america Air Drive Academy and accomplished grasp’s and doctoral levels as a Rhodes scholar from Oxford College.
Nancy Currie-Gregg, Ph.D., of School Station is the director of the Texas A&M Area Institute. She is a former NASA astronaut and accrued over 1,000 hours in area over the course of 4 missions. She additionally served NASA in numerous roles together with as deputy director of engineering, chief engineer, and principal engineer. Dr. Currie-Gregg earned her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the College of Houston.
Brad Morrison of Boerne is the founder and CEO of Atlantis Industries. He’s a member of the Boerne Kendall County Angels Community and the Texas Nationwide Safety Innovation Council. He’s additionally a former chair of the Cybersecurity Committee for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, former member of the Enterprise Executives for Nationwide Safety, former member of the Texas Enterprise Management Council, and former chairman of the Texas Lyceum. Moreover, he served as enterprise accelerator chair for the Entrepreneurs Group and as honorary commander for america Air Drive 67th Our on-line world Wing. Morrison earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration from america Air Drive Academy and a Grasp of Science in Telecommunications from Southern Methodist College.
Governor Abbott, together with Lieutenant Governor Patrick and Speaker Phelan, appointed six members to the TARSEC Government Committee. The Governor has appointed Stephanie Murphy and Matt Ondler for phrases set to run out on the pleasure of the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor has appointed Invoice Weber and Jack Fischer, and the Speaker appointed Brian Freedman and Shey Sabripour for phrases set to run out on the pleasure of the appointing officer. Moreover, the chancellors of Texas A&M College and The College of Texas methods and the president of Rice College named Dr. Robert Ambrose, Dr. Daniel T. Jaffe, and Dr. David Alexander to serve on the TARSEC Government Committee.
Stephanie Murphy of Seabrook is the CEO and government chairman of Aegis Aerospace, Inc. She is a board member of Area Heart Houston and the Larger Houston Ladies’s Chamber of Commerce and member of the Ladies in Aerospace and Texas A&M Engineering Advisory Council. She is a board member and previous president of the Aggie Ladies Community, former board member of the Bay Space Houston Financial Partnership, and former member of SBA Small Enterprise Growth Heart Advisory Board on the College of Houston. Murphy acquired a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Enterprise and an MBA from Texas A&M College, and an government growth program certificates from Dartmouth College.
Matt Ondler of Houston is the president and former chief expertise officer at Axiom Area, constructing the primary industrial area station and the following era area go well with. He has practically 40 years of aerospace and expertise expertise, together with over 28 years serving at NASA’s Johnson Area Heart. He’s chairman of the Business Advisory Board of the Texas A&M Multi-Disciplinary Engineering program and an annual invited speaker for the NASA Intern Packages. Beforehand, he served as a sponsor and advisor to FIRST Robotics, a world youth group that operates robotics competitions. Ondler acquired a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the College of Colorado and an MBA from the College of Houston.
Invoice Weber of Austin is the CEO of Firefly Aerospace. He’s vice chairman of the board for America’s Warrior Partnership, former board director of Buchanan and Edwards, former board director of Modus eDiscovery, and former board director and advisor of Thraxos. Moreover, he’s a scoutmaster, district chair, and council advisor with Boy Scouts of America, previous president of Little League Baseball, and a former sponsor and advisor for Women on the Run. He earned a bachelor’s diploma from Washington College, St. Louis.
Jack “2fish” Fischer of Houston is vice chairman of manufacturing and operations at Intuitive Machines. He’s a former NASA astronaut with over 130 days in area, together with two spacewalks, and former vice commander for america Area Drive. Moreover, he’s a member of the Area Drive Affiliation and america Air Drive Academy Affiliation of Graduates and affiliate fellow for the Society of Experimental Take a look at Pilots. Fisher earned a Bachelor of Science in Astronautical Engineering from america Air Drive Academy and a Grasp of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Know-how.
Brian Freedman of Friendswood is president of the Bay Space Houston Financial Partnership. He’s the vice chairman of Wellby Monetary and a board member and former chairman of the Clear Lake Space Chamber of Commerce. He’s additionally a former delegate for the American Council of Younger Political Leaders, former board member of the North Texas Fee, former journey chairman for Residents for Area Exploration, and former secretary and membership chairman for the Nationwide Administration Affiliation. He’s additionally a member of the College of Houston-Clear Lake member council and volunteer for Woman Scout Troop 143176, Boy Scouts Pack 442, and the Friendswood ISD Westwood/Bales PTO. He earned a Bachelor of Enterprise Administration from Mississippi State College and a an MBA from Colorado State College.
Shey Sabripour is the founder and CEO of CesiumAstro, Inc. He beforehand labored for Lockheed Martin Area Techniques for over 24 years, serving as a design engineer, expertise innovator, program supervisor, and director of Spacecraft Design. Shey earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from North Dakota State College and different larger schooling levels in electrical engineering and government enterprise administration from establishments such because the New Jersey Institute of Know-how, Carnegie Melon College, Santa Clara College, and the College of Maryland.
Robert Ambrose, Ph.D., is a professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M College. Beforehand, he labored for NASA for over 20 years, holding numerous positions such because the division chief for Johnson Area Heart and the principal technologist for NASA Headquarters. He’s vice chairman of Industrial Actions for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Robotics and Automation Society. Ambrose earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington College in St. Louis, a Grasp of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Washington College in St. Louis, and Ph.D., in Mechanical Engineering from The College of Texas.
Daniel T. Jaffe, Ph.D., is vice chairman for analysis, professor of the Workplace of the Government Vice President, and the provost of the Division of Astronomy at The College of Texas. His work contains growing devices and conducting observations geared toward understanding how stars and planetary methods kind and evolve. He has contributed to the development of the silicon diffractive optics for NASA’s SOFIA airborne observatory and the James Webb Area Telescope, in addition to a number of ground-based devices. Jaffe earned his Bachelor of Arts and his Ph.D., from Harvard College.
David Alexander, Ph.D., is a professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Rice Area Institute at Rice College. He’s a member of the board of the American Astronomical Society, the Houston Spaceport Growth Company, SpaceCom, Deep Area Industries, and the Sasakawa Worldwide Heart for Area Structure. Beforehand, he served on the NASA Advisory Council’s Heliophysics Subcommittee, the NASA Photo voltaic Heliospheric Administration and Operations Working Group, the ESA/NASA Photo voltaic Orbiter Payload Committee, and the Science Advisory Board of the Excessive-Altitude Observatory Coronal Photo voltaic Magnetism Observatory. Alexander earned a Bachelor of Science in Arithmetic on the College of Glasgow, a Bachelor of Science in Pure Philosophy and Astronomy on the College of Glasgow, and a Ph.D., in Relativistic Cosmology on the College of Glasgow.
