Virgin Galactic president to keynote
Governor is also attending Distinguished Public Service gala banquet
Virgin Galactic President Michael P. Moses, former NASA flight controller, director, and space shuttle launch manager, will be the keynote speaker for the Governor’s New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Awards banquet Nov. 13 in Albuquerque.
Moses leads Sir Richard Branson’s space tourism company in all aspects of spaceline operations, including WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicle processing, flight planning, astronaut training, and flight crew operations, according to the company website.
He previously worked at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida where he led all space shuttle processing activities from landing through launch from 2008 through July 2011.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham also is expected to say a few words at the banquet Nov. 13 at the Marriott Pyramid Albuquerque. Visit nmdpsa.eventbrite.com to for tickets or sponsorshps.
The annual awards program, in its 50th year, recognizes individuals for notable contributions to public service and exceptional contributions to their respective communities.
This year winners include Lifetime Achievement awardee Dr. Sanjeev Arora with UNMH who created Project ECHO in 2003, now a worldwide treatment system to cover more than 60 disease areas and complex issues with 256 academic hubs and 600 projects ongoing in 34 countries.
This year’s other award winners are: David Campbell of Rio Rancho; John Heaton of Carlsbad; Joe Mauderly of Albuquerque; Tammie Moe of Gallup; Debbie Moore of Las Cruces; Alicia Ortega of Pojoaque Pueblo; Kyle Rhodes of Farmington/Bloomfield; Eliseo “Cheo” Torres of Albuquerque; and Pat Vincent-Collawn of Albuquerque.
Keynote speaker Moses attended Purdue University, earning a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. He also earned a master’s degree in space sciences from Florida Institute of Technology. He is a two-time recipient of the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, as well as other NASA commendations and awards.
Virgin Galactic CEO George T. Whitesides has credited Moses for his critical leadership in building a world-class organization and team.
Banquet tickets are $75 each or $750 for a table of 10. Visit nmdpsa. eventbrite.com to purchase, visit nmdpsa.com for more information.