Former astronaut among those selected for NASA jobs
NASA NEWS RELEASE
Posted: February 1, 2002

  Bolden
Bolden flew four shuttle missions. Photo: NASA
 
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and the White House on Thursday announced a number of key nominations and appointments in an effort to fill open positions within the space agency.

The President announced his intention to nominate former NASA astronaut and Assistant Deputy Administrator, Major General Charles F. Bolden, U.S. Marine Corps, as NASA's next Deputy Administrator. Bolden, 55, currently serves as the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.

"I am grateful for the President's overwhelming confidence in General Bolden. I could not ask for a more qualified partner to help lead this great agency," said Administrator O'Keefe. "His management and leadership skills in the fields of aeronautics and space technology will play a vital role in charting a new course for America's space program. I am delighted he accepted this nomination and look forward to welcoming him back to the NASA family. We are hopeful for expeditious consideration by the United States Senate."

A veteran of four Space Shuttle flights, Bolden was pilot on STS-61C in 1986 and STS-31 in 1990, and was the mission commander on STS-45 in 1992. That same year, he was appointed Assistant Deputy Administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington, a position he held until 1994, when he was named commander of STS-60. He left the space program having logged more than 680 hours in orbit.

As Deputy Administrator, Bolden will serve as the chief operating officer for the agency and report directly to the Administrator. He will be responsible for directing and managing many of the programs and day-to-day operations and activities at NASA.

Administrator O'Keefe filled additional positions at NASA Headquarters. Paul Pastorek will serve as the agency's General Counsel at NASA Headquarters. He replaces Edward A. Frankle, who retired in December.

Pastorek's principal responsibility will be to serve in an advisory capacity to the Administrator and work with the Enterprise Associate Administrators and NASA Center Directors to ensure agency activities are conducted in accordance with all statutory and regulatory requirements.

Before joining NASA, Pastorek was a partner in the New Orleans office of the regional law firm of Adams and Reese. He was in charge of the Special Business Services Practice Group, which practiced in the areas of employment and labor, governmental relations, intellectual property, health care, oil and gas, and environment and education.

Pastorek's primary civic involvement is in education and he will play a role in many of NASA's institutional and education efforts. He currently serves as the president of Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as serving on a number of other state boards and commissions. "Paul brings vast educational experience to NASA," added Administrator O'Keefe. "His fresh perspective will be valuable to the future efforts of this agency."

Two current Acting Associate Administrators, Glenn Mahone and Jeff M. Bingham, have been appointed to permanent Assistant Administrator positions, effective immediately.

Before being appointed Acting Associate Administrator of Public Affairs in August, Mahone served as NASA Press Secretary and Senior Advisor for the Administrator's office. He served as special assistant and senior advisor to the chairperson at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission before joining NASA in April 2000. His previous experience also includes work as a management consultant to the President and CEO of Stephens Engineering Company, Inc., Lanham, Md., and he was a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training for the Department of Labor.

Bingham, who was appointed Acting Associate Administrator of Legislative Affairs in April, joined the agency's Office of Legislative Affairs in 1994, where he served as coordinator in NASA's Space Station Program Office. Before joining NASA, Bingham served 17 years as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Senator Jake Garn, of Utah, where he was actively involved in congressional consideration of NASA. In 2001, Bingham provided support to the Bush-Cheney Transition Team and was appointed Special Assistant to NASA Chief of Staff and White House Liaison, Courtney Stadd.

The Administrator also named Charles T. Horner, III as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs (Resources) at NASA Headquarters. Horner is currently Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller. At NASA, Horner will work with the Assistant Administrator of Legislative Affairs to provide executive leadership, direction, and coordination of communications and relationships between NASA and Congress. He'll also provide strategic advice and planning.

Horner has an extensive background in resource management and significant experience in legislative affairs and appropriations management.

"In order to make the right decisions for our nation's aeronautics and space programs, we have to get the right people in the right places," added Administrator O'Keefe. "These nominations and appointments are just the first steps in our journey. I'm excited about the future of NASA."

Additional announcements regarding positions within the agency are expected in the coming weeks.