Clear Lake Chatter

By Kathryn Paradis

New Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche got quite a warm welcome from the community when the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership hosted a Community Welcoming Luncheon honoring her at the Clear Lake/NASA Hilton.

When NASA Administrator Bill Nelson named Wyche as the new JSC director she said, “As the home to America’s astronaut corps, International Space Station mission operations, the Orion and Gateway programs, and a host of future space developments, Johnson is a world leader in human space exploration and is playing a key role in the next giant leaps in American excellence in space.”

Wyche’s “Giant Leaps Start Here” presentation to the BAHEP members highlighted the numerous programs and initiatives in which JSC plays an active role. These include the International Space Station, Commercial Low-Earth Orbit, Private Astronaut Missions, Orion, Commercial Lunar Payload Services, Gateway, Artemis and Moon to Mars.

“Getting back to the Moon and on to Mars will take all of us working together,” Wyche emphasized as she listed all the major milestones that must be accomplished. With the growth of commercial space companies and programs, community partner-

Texan Bank CEO Kenny Koncaba and his wife, President and COO Kristi Koncaba, arrive at the Hilton preceding the BAHEP welcome luncheon for new JSC Director Vanessa Wyche. MARY ALYS CHERRY

ships will be vital for the future of human space exploration. We are part of an ecosystem is how I see it, and working together is how we will be able to bring more commercial opportunities to this area.

“I’m looking forward to us working and identifying ways that we can help as NASA to bring more companies to the area,” she said.

A South Carolina native, Wyche earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University. Wyche was named JSC’s director earlier this year, becoming the first African American woman to hold the position. While acknowledging she is the first to break that barrier, she hopes she won’t be the last.

Barrios Technology Vice President Robert McAfoos, right, and BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, second from left, talk with Airbus officials -- U.S. Space Systems Head Bill Corley and Director of Space Operations Debra Facktor – during the BAHEP Community Welcome Luncheon

Early arrivals at the BAHEP Welcome Luncheon at the Clear Lake/NASA Hilton included Barrios Technology President Kelly Page, left, and CEO Sandy Johnson. Bastion Technology President Jorge Hernandez, right, and COO Dr. Jayant Ramakrishnan say hello to KBR Vice President Laurie Labra as they arrive at the reception preceding the May 18 BAHEP Welcome Luncheon at the Hilton.

Photos by Mary Alys Cherry

New Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche arrives at the Clear Lake/NASA Hilton for the Community Welcome Luncheon in her honor. There to greet her are Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, left, and BAHEP Board Chairman Charlie Stegemoeller

BAHEP President Bob Mitchell, third from left, stops by to greet several Bay Area city officials there to welcome the new JSC director. They are, from left, Mayors Carl Joiner of Kemah, Jeff Wagner of Pasadena, Louis Rigby of La Porte and, seated, Pat Hallisey of League City.

UH-Clear Lake President Dr. Ira Blake, second from left, visits with, from left, MRI President Debbie Kropp, Vice President Tim Kropp and Jacobs Technology’s Vice President and General Manager Joy Kelly at the reception preceding the May 18 BAHEP Welcome Luncheon at the Hilton.