Kennedy Space Center, FL. (August 10, 2012) – The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) – a non-profit organization that honors and memorializes astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and the space program – announced today that Thad Altman has been selected by a search committee as the incoming AMF President and CEO.
As AMF President and CEO, Altman will provide overall vision and leadership functions, work with staff to develop new educational and memorial programs, seek new fundraising and partnership opportunities, recommend budgets, serve as a liason between the AMF and NASA, and manage human resources. Altman has an extensive public and private sector background in community development, outreach, advcacy and fundraising.
Thad Altman has lived in Brevard County, Florida for 55 years and has played a key role in the in the transformation of the Space Coast from a rural community to a global aerospace leader. He has served in a number of State, regional and local roles, including as a Florida State Senator, State Representative, and Brevard County Commissioner. He is the founding chairman of the Brevard Tourist Development Council and played a leadership role in the planning and development of the Viera community and the Brevard County Government Center.
“While we had a number of highly qualified candidates apply for the position of president of AMF, the search committee unanimously agreed that Mr. Altman had the ideal background and experience to lead the Foundation at this point in history,” stated search committee chair retired U.S. Navy Capt. Mike McCulley.
Dr. Stephen Feldman, who served as AMF President and CEO for 13+ years, has officially retired from the organization and has been named AMF President Emeritus, an honorary role.
The search process to find the new AMF President and CEO was intiated in late 2011 by former AMF Board Chairmain and former NASA astronaut, Mike McCulley. In addition to Mr. McCulley, the search committee consisted of:
• Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Jon McBride, former astronaut and current AMF Board Chairman
• Jay Honeycutt, former Director of Kennedy Space Center and former President of Lockheed Martin Aerospace
• William Potter, former Holland & Knight Partner
• Kevin Hoshtrasser, current AMF Board Vice Chairman and former Site Director, Space Exploration, Florida Operations, The Boeing Company
• Lowell Grissom, brother of former Astronaut Gus Grissom – Apollo1.
About The Astronauts Memorial Foundation: The Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1986 after the Challenger accident and is located at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The foundation’s mission is to honor and memorialize those astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and the space program by sponsoring the national Space Mirror Memorial, and by implementing innovative educational technology programs. The national Space Mirror Memorial is the only memorial of its kind built at a U.S. Space Center. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation partners with NASA to provide technology training to educators throughout the nation with a particular emphasis on space-related technology. For more information visit http://www.amfcse.org/.
Media Contact:
Tina Lange, APR
321-223-1013
tina@tntcommgroup.com