State
BY JAMES T. NORMAN
Gov. Greg Abbott announced March 26 the members of the Texas Space Commission. Abbott, along with Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, Texas state Rep. Greg Bonnen and Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche, made the announcement at a speaking engagement held at Johnson Space Center on March 26. State officials said they hope the new boards will help advance Texas’s aerospace industry in a variety of ways, including economically and technologically. The commission is made up of nine members, according to a news release from Abbott’s office. Abbott on March 26 called it a more “profound effort” to involve the state in aerospace developments. 9 people chosen for space board
The background
Texas Space Commission board members
• Gwen Griffin , CEO of the Griffin Communications Group - Houston • John Shannon, vice president of Exploration Systems at the Boeing
Statewide representation
The commission was created after the Texas Legislature in June 2023 passed House Bill 3447. As described by the bill, the commission is meant to “strengthen this state’s proven leadership in civil, commercial and military aerospace activity,” and “promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace opportunities” within the economy. The bill also allocated $350 million for the commission, a new space consortium, a research fund and the Texas A&M space institute, according to the bill. The space institute will be built out next to Johnson Space Center’s main campus in Houston. “Texas has always been the leader in the United States space program, since its inception,” Abbott said.
Company - Houston • Kirk Shireman, vice president of Lunar Exploration Campaigns at Lockheed Martin - Pearland • Sarah “Sassie” Duggleby, CEO and co-founder of Venus Aerospace Corporation - Friendswood • Nancy Currie-Gregg, director of the Texas A&M space institute - College Station • Evan Loomis, co-founder of ICON - Austin • Brad Morrison, founder and CEO of Atlantis Industries - Boerne • Heather Wilson, president of The University of Texas at El Paso - El Paso • Kathy Lueders, general manager of Starbase at SpaceX - Brownsville
SOURCE: OFFICE OF GOV. GREG ABBOTT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Orthopedic care that helps keep life moving. Don’t let joint pain put life on pause. With advanced care and leading-edge surgical techniques, the highly skilled team at St. Luke’s Health provides personalized care to get you back in motion.
With a nationally recognized orthopedics program, our experienced, board-certified providers offer comprehensive, personalized treatment plans for a full range of bone, joint, and muscle conditions, including sports injuries and joint disorders—so you can enjoy what moves you.
Let’s keep life moving. Learn more at StLukesHealth.org/Ortho.
19
BAY AREA EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook