Vote for the most qualified candidates at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KV9GRFC by Friday, May 17, 11:59pm.
A PDF version of the biographies and candidate statements is available.
Biography
Michael Frostad has been interested in Space Exploration since Middle School. As he grew older that interest developed into a passion and he followed it to the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. There he studied in the Aeronautics and Astronautics program completing his Bachelors of Science in 2004 and going on to complete his Masters of Science in 2006 focusing on control systems. An interview later and he was on his way to Houston to support the Human Space Flight program at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Since that time he has served on the ESCG contract supporting the Engineering Directorate on both the Space Shuttle and now the Orion MPCV. Specifically, he has worked to develop integrated environment and vehicle simulations as well as providing analysis and code validation support.
Candidate Statement
The Houston Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has served it’s members by being a place to share technical ideas, lessons learned, and ground breaking innovations; and it has done so for over 50 years. It has helped us to bring many different disciplines together to help accomplish the mission of exploring space, the world around us and ourselves. I wish to continue these tasks and expand upon them and thus I submit my name for the Chair of the Houston Section of AIAA. I have been a member the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics since 2003 and most recently I have served as the Vice-Chair of Operations for the Houston Section (2012-2013) and the Young Professionals Chair for the Houston Section (2010-2012). This year we have familiarized everyone with our new website and constant contact communication ability, steadily improving both these tools and their use. One challenge of this next year will be to keep improving upon these successes and providing further quality opportunities for their use. This will ensure that the Houston Section of AIAA’s ability to bring people together to share lessons and ideas for the future remains and grows. I look forward to this challenge and the others that come with the responsibility of running the Houston Section and I thank you for your consideration of me as your Chair.
Biography
Michael Martin is currently a flight controller for the International Space Station and was a former Chair of the Greater New Orleans AIAA section from 2007-2010. He holds a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Orleans and will graduate with a Ph.D. in ME from Texas A&M later this year. Previously, he worked as a Senior Design Engineer with Lockheed Martin on the Orion/Constellation program at NASA MAF and also as a Test Operations Engineer, testing large rocket engines at NASA SSC. He helped in the construction of the propulsion system for the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), which is currently in orbit around the Sun. While working at Los Alamos National Lab, he assisted in the assembly of the Plasma Dynamo lab in the P-24 Plasma Physics division. He has co-authored 2 research papers (one with AIAA JPC 2012 on plasma engine modeling and the other on optically measuring fuel erosion in a hybrid rocket motor).Candidate Statement
As your Chair-Elect, I have 3 objectives:
- Assist in the planning and performing of dinner meetings (more on that below).
- Assist the Chair in daily operations so that her/his workload is reduced and my fellow officers can effectively communicate with the Chair.
- Learn AIAA Houston’s best practices so that when I become Chair, I can be effective immediately.
When I was the Chair of the Greater New Orleans AIAA section, we had a dinner meeting for 9 months out of the year. In order to keep food costs low, we arranged with local restaurants that if we had a guaranteed number of meal-eating guests, we could have a quiet back room or hall for us to use with our guest speaker. We brought our section-owned projector and rarely had a problem with this setup. Best of all, it cost the section nothing to put on the meeting (other than guest expenses) and thus we could have a meeting every month if we wanted to. This greatly reduced the time needed to plan a meeting. Another plus is that each attendee was able to choose from a large selection of food on the menu at the restaurant and get exactly what they wanted. As the expense of using the Gilruth Center’s catering is very large for monthly meetings, I propose that we use Gilruth only for the big meetings, such as the Annual Banquet, and use local restaurants for smaller “intimate” meetings. Therefore, we could have many of these smaller meetings with interesting technical guest speakers (who might not draw a huge crowd), and it would cost the section much less than what we pay now. By having more meetings a year, I believe this will bring in new AIAA members and many of our AIAA colleagues back into the fold. As your Chair Elect, I would spearhead this effort. Thank you and have a great day!
Biography
Eryn Beisner is a Visiting Vehicle Engineer and is currently the lead engineer for the European Space Agency’s ATV-4 and ATV-5 cargo resupply vehicles. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and is working towards a Ph.D. in Astrophysics. She started in AIAA as the Communications Chair and received an AIAA achievement award for her work. She is very active in the NASA community as space exploration is her number one passion in life. She can be regularly found at AIAA and Society of Women Engineering (SWE) functions as well as just about any other space-related event. She regularly volunteers for public outreach events, which often involve JSC tours, classroom visits, and public presentations ranging from NASA history, science demonstrations, and the benefits of space exploration technology for mankind.
Candidate Statement
The space industry is unlike any other I have ever seen or worked for and I’m proud to be a member of this elite society of dedicated explorers. AIAA reflects this same passion and professionalism and I look forward to many years of involvement in whatever capacity that may be. My experience and enthusiasm makes me an ideal candidate Vice President of Operations and I look forward to the challenge of blending new ideas with traditional methods.
Biography
Raised and graduated high school in Oklahoma. Attended Purdue University and graduated with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering in 2005. Upon graduation, started working on the ISS for Boeing in Houston. Have since worked several programs including the 787, 747, docking systems for the ISS, and now Boeing’s new crew capsule. AIAA Experience includes serving as current treasurer of the Houston Section. Been treasurer for 2 consecutive years. Lifetime member of AIAA since 2009, student member since 2000.
Candidate Statement
As the Houston’s section’s Vice Chair for Technical Committees, I would plan to help the organization grow in both size and our connections in the community. Our Annual Technical Symposium is a great event that is well attended and would continue to be under my watch. I would also reach out to other technical organizations in the area to establish better relationships and possibly co-host events with common interests. My previous experience as Treasurer has allowed me to attend the many a various events in which the Houston Section hosts and partakes. We are an active section, but I think we can do even more.
Biography
Shen Ge received his Masters in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University in 2011 August and received his undergraduate with a dual major in aerospace engineering and physics with Magna Cum Laude in 2008 December from Georgia Institute of Technology. His background is in space design, space physics, and experimental design. He has great interest in manned space exploration, near earth asteroids, and space tourism. His work on his Masters was on designing an innovative payload for a near earth asteroid mitigation mission. He also has interest in space entrepreneurship and public engagement of space-related endeavors. He co-founded in January 2012 the Scientific Preparatory Academy for Cosmic Explorers (SPACE), a nonprofit company located on the Isle of Man aiming to be an international undergraduate space university and also co-founded in July 2012 the Experimental Center for Applied Physical Systems (ECAPS), LLC, a for-profit research and development company located in College Station, TX.
Candidate Statement
Please consider me, Shen Ge, as a candidate for Secretary of AIAA Houston Section. My education includes two bachelor’s degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology (physics and aerospace engineering) and an aerospace engineering master’s degree from Texas A&M University. I volunteered in various roles for our Section during the last few years. My current role in our Section is Publicity Chair. I also support our newsletter, Horizons, in various ways, including as a member of the editing team and as a contributing writer. I used Horizons press credentials to report for Horizons on a space conference in California and the UP Experience 2012 in Houston last year and the recent Lunar and Planetary Science Conference this year, where I set up and conducted a Horizons interview with Burt Rutan. I was the lead organizer for two space conferences recently, and I contributed articles about both of them to Horizons. As one of the Section voting officers required for a quorum, I would be honored to serve in this role as our Section organizes memorable events for the famous NASA/JSC community. I enjoy hard work and the challenge of finding the best work / life / education balance. Thank you in advance for your consideration as I seek your support and your vote for me as Secretary.
Biography
Jennifer Wells decided to work in the space industry when she was ten years old. She graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2009. While earning her degree, she worked three co-op terms with Jacobs Technology. She is currently employed at UTC Aerospace Systems as a Systems Engineer on the Umbilical Interface Assembly (UIA) project. In addition, she is working toward an M.S. in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and is expected to graduate in December 2013.
Candidate Statement
I have been active in AIAA since 2007; first as a student with the Texas A&M chapter, and then as a young professional in the Houston Section. My roles have included Publicity Chair and Vice Chair for the Texas A&M chapter of AIAA and I currently serve as Honors and Awards Chair for the Houston Section. In the past I was Treasurer for the Texas A&M chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS), and at one point in college I worked as a bank teller. I would like to serve as the Houston Section’s Treasurer in order to grow in my involvement and responsibility within AIAA. I believe my experience and efforts can help find additional means of funding and ways to increase the efficiency with which funds are used. Thank you for your consideration for the position of Treasurer of the Houston Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Biography
Since 2004, Irene Chan has been an active member of AIAA. She has served as Secretary, Webmaster, and Councilor for the Houston Section. She has co-chaired 2 Region IV Student Paper Conferences (SPC) and received an AIAA Special Service Citation for her contributions in the 2010 SPC. This past March, she received her second Special Service Citation for developing the new Houston Section website. She has held multiple leadership roles at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) student chapter – Chair, Secretary/Publicity Chair, and Webmaster – and served as the AIAA-San Diego Section Webmaster. For her infectious enthusiasm and passion to facilitate and enhance programs and communications, she was honored with the 2008 Outstanding Contribution to the AIAA-San Diego Section Award. Her efforts to functionally and aesthetically enhance the San Diego section’s website helped the San Diego Section receive 2nd place in the AIAA Communications Award for the large section category.In 2008, Irene graduated from UCSD with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. In 2012, she received her Masters of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide, Houston Campus with specializations in Human Factors, Space Operations Management, and Aerospace Education/Training. She is currently a web developer and a member of the MAPI IT Web Team for the ISS Program Office.Irene is also committed to inspiring and promoting the next generation’s appreciation for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She often volunteers as a presenter/exhibitor for Sally Ride Science Festivals, Expand Your Horizons Conferences, and other outreach programs for K-8 students.
Candidate Statement
I am honored to be considered for the role of councilor. As shown from my previous term as councilor, I take the responsibilities of the role seriously. I am confident my AIAA leadership experiences will continue to be an asset to the executive council. I am committed and ready to support and enhance current and future AIAA Houston Section endeavors.
Biography
Robert Plunkett is a Lead Payload Integration Engineer working for MEI Technologies, Inc. in the Department of Defense Human Spaceflight Payloads Office, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. His role is to lead the integration, launch, and on-orbit operations of multiple DoD experiments and payload complements. Previously, Robert served 8 years in the United States Air Force, culminating in rank as a Captain before an honorable separation. Robert’s last Air Force assignment was as a Payload Manager with the Space Test Program at JSC, performing the government responsibilities for the high priority DoD Payloads on NASA human-rated missions. Robert was born in Houston, Texas on 8 February 1980. He attended Texas A&M University earning a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering while completing ROTC through the Corps of Cadets. He subsequently earned a Masters of Science in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University in December 2009. He was commissioned in the Air Force in March 2004 and was first assigned to the 341st Space Wing, 341st Maintenance Group, Malmstrom AFB, Montana. At Malmstrom AFB, he served in a variety of positions, including Assistant Officer In Charge of Technical Engineering and Officer In Charge of the Missile Maintenance Operations Center and Plans and Scheduling. Robert is a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Eagle Scout Association and spends time mentoring and promoting educational opportunities for local schools. He also volunteers as a Crew Chief on a WWII Japanese Army Air Force KI-51 Sonia replica, maintaining the aircraft in flying condition and accompanying the pilot and airplane to airshows to promote the history and legacy of the Warbirds. Robert’s military awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
Candidate Statement
I have been a member of AIAA in the past, and now I want to contribute to the society that promotes our profession. I firmly believe community service is a key component of any professional career and personal life, and I want to now lead efforts to give back to AIAA and the community. I want to make our chapter stronger through volunteering my time and talent to tasks that need the efforts, and will step up when needed to make things happen. I would be honored to serve the chapter as a councilor and welcome the challenges that will come with the responsibility.
Please do not forget to vote at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KV9GRFC by Friday, May 17, 11:59pm.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the elections or candidates please e-mail Sarah Shull (councilor6-2012@aiaahouston.org).