Lori Garver Leaving NASA for Air Line Pilots Association

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Source: Space News

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver is stepping down Sept. 6 to take the top staff job at the Washington-based Air Line Pilots Association, SpaceNews has confirmed. A formal announcement is expected Aug. 6.

Garver informed colleagues of her decision in an Aug. 5 email. “After quite an extensive decision process, I have decided to make a career change. I will be resigning from my position as NASA Deputy Administrator, effective September 6 and have accepted a new position in the private sector outside the space industry,” Garver wrote. “NASA will be sending out a formal announcement tomorrow with all the details. It has been great working with you all these years and I’m sure that our paths will continue to cross.”

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Garver served as the lead civil space adviser to John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign as well as Hillary Clinton’s 2008 run. When Barack Obama defeated Clinton in the Democratic primary, Garver switched camps and went on to lead Obama Presidential Transition Agency Review Team for NASA.

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"It will be years before it is known what Lori did to help hold the ship of NASA together and point it away from the past," longtime space entrepreneur Dennis Wingo commented on NASAWatch.com, which first reported that Garver will be stepping down.

Read more: http://www.spacenews.com/article/civil-space/36643lori-garver-leaving-nasa-for-air-line-pilots-association

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1. NASA Watch: Lori Garver Is Leaving NASA

http://nasawatch.com/archives/2013/08/lori-garver-is-1.html

Lori Garver Is Leaving NASA

By Keith Cowing on August 5, 2013 11:02 PM. 12 Comments

Keith's 5:25 pm note: Sources report that NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver will be leaving the agency in a few weeks to take a non-space job in the private sector. A formal announcement is expected tomorrow (Tuesday). No word yet as to who will replace her - or if a Deputy Administrator will even be named. Dan Goldin managed to do without a formal "Deputy" for a decade.

I am not certain that the White House would want the distraction of a confirmation hearing right now - one where any question about NASA would be fair game for the nominee. Its more probable that they will leave the position empty or make someone (like NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot) Acting Deputy Administrator for the time being and punt on anything formal. Stay tuned.

Keith's 6:00 pm update: Sources report that Lori Garver will be heading to the Air Line Pilots Association.

Keith's 8:00 pm update: The following email was sent to a large number of people by Lori Garver:

"After quite an extensive decision process, I have decided to make a career change. I will be resigning from my position as NASA Deputy Administrator, effective September 6 and have accepted a new position in the private sector outside the space industry. NASA will be sending out a formal announcement tomorrow with all the details. It has been great working with you all these years and I'm sure that our paths will continue to cross. As you know, I've been a long-time aerospace community member, but I am also excited to take on this new challenge. This change comes at the same time David and I are starting a new chapter personally, with our youngest headed off to college in a few weeks - so big changes ahead. There will definitely be time for a "proper" goodbye sometime over the next month. Until then, thank you for always being there for me and for a better future through space development."

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2. Statements from Charles Bolden and John Holdren

http://www.nasa.gov/press/2013/august/statements-on-nasa-deputy-administrator-lori-garvers-announced-departure/#.UgD7KVPOllk

Aug. 6, 2013

Bob Jacobs/Allard Beutel
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
[e-mail] / [e-mail]

RELEASE 13-245

Statements on NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver's Announced Departure

The following are statements from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren about NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver's announced departure from the agency, effective Sept. 6.


NASA Administrator Charles Bolden:

"I have had the pleasure and honor of working side by side with Lori for the past four years, as we sought to position the agency for 21st century spaceflight, scientific discovery and deep space exploration. She has been an indispensable partner in our efforts to keep NASA on a trajectory of progress and innovation. In a time of great change and challenge, she has been a remarkable leader who has consistently shown great vision and commitment to NASA and the aerospace industry.

"Lori has led the way on so many of the Obama Administration's space priorities, including our commercial crew and cargo program, the re-establishment of a space technology mission directorate, our use of challenges and prizes, and our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. As one of only a few top women leaders in the aerospace industry, she has been an extraordinary role model for young girls, inspiring them to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and pursue their dreams in space and here on Earth.

"Lori will always be a great friend to me and to our agency."


Office of Science and Technology Policy Director John Holdren:

"Lori Garver has worked tirelessly in support of this administration’s aerospace priorities, from human space exploration and technology development to Earth science and aeronautics research. She ensured that U.S. taxpayers were getting the most for their money from NASA with innovative public-private partnerships in space and on Earth, and her focus on getting more women and other underrepresented groups engaged in science, technology, engineering, and math was just as important.

"On behalf of President Obama, as well as myself, I want to thank Lori for her leadership, dedication, and work on behalf of the American people, and wish her all the best in future endeavors."


For more information about Garver, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/16vtfhD

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