IFPTE Applauds Selection of New NASA Leadership Team
Union Praises President Obama’s recent focus on U.S. Aerospace Agency.
The International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers (IFPTE) commended yesterday’s decision by President Obama to name retired Marine Major General Charles Bolden and Lori Garver to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bolden was chosen as Administrator, while Garver was tapped for the Deputy Administrator post.
IFPTE President Gregory Junemann expressed optimism that NASA may be on the verge of a rebirth:
“IFPTE once again would like to take this opportunity to thank President Obama for delivering on his campaign promise by providing a $2 billion dollar infusion of additional funds into NASA, despite the current fiscal pressures. We now look forward to working with General Bolden, a man of extreme courage, integrity, and accomplishment, as he works to implement President Obama’s vision of a renewed and rebalanced NASA. We are equally pleased with the selection of Lori Garver, who IFPTE believes is not only an outstanding choice for the Deputy’s position, but also a person who we expect will play a key role in the future direction of NASA.
“America’s dominance in Aerospace depends on sustained, vigorous R&D programs
as well as maintaining America’s leadership in human space exploration. Supporting NASA’s broad portfolio of Science, Aeronautics, and Exploration investments will depend on providing NASA with sufficient resources. Investing in NASA now will be crucial in fostering the innovation necessary for successful extended human spaceflight; for safer, faster, quieter, more efficient civil aviation; for history-changing scientific discovery; and for maintaining America’s leadership in Aerospace research and exploration – all key factors in enhancing our economic competitiveness and maintaining our national security through the 21
“We believe that any previous allegiances to specific vehicle architectures, to the astronaut corps, to a specific Center, or to a specific regional interest that have existed in the past will be transcended under this new leadership. In this regard, IFPTE is optimistic that the President’s choices to lead the Agency and the Blue Ribbon panel will find the innovative solutions necessary to efficiently allocate NASA’s limited resources across its wide range of responsibilities.”
Since President Obama took office, IFPTE has applauded the Administration’s
decision to provide nearly $2 billion in increased funding to NASA and to name a
Blue Ribbon panel to help guide NASA as it moves forward with its post-Shuttle
human spaceflight plans. The Union also praised the President’s efforts to rectify the past Administration’s missteps by revitalizing the nation’s Aerospace Agency.st century.
