July, 30 2015
Smithsonian
News
Media only: Alison Mitchell (202) 633-2376; mitchellac@si.edu 
Nick Partridge (202) 633-2374; partridgen@si.edu
Media website: http://newsdesk.si.edu
Speaker Bios
“Above and Beyond” Exhibition Press Preview
Gen. J.R. “Jack” Dailey
John and Adrienne Mars Director
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Gen. J.R. “Jack” Dailey, a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general and pilot, became the director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in January 2000.
Since assuming his position, Dailey has led efforts to expand the size and scope of the museum and increase public outreach. In 2003, in conjunction with the Centennial of Flight, the museum opened a second building, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. More than 300 aircraft and space artifacts are housed in its two hangars: the Boeing Aviation Hangar and James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. In 2011, construction was completed on the center’s second and final component, a section devoted to preservation and restoration of the museum’s collection in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar.
Eight major exhibitions have opened in the museum’s original building with Dailey at the helm. In support of the Smithsonian’s strategic planning efforts, the museum has expanded its public-program, Web and distance-learning activities. Dailey came to the museum from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he had been the acting deputy administrator (1992–1999) since retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps. At NASA, he led the agency’s internal operations.
His career in the Marine Corps spanned 36 years and included extensive command and staff experience. He has flown more than 7,500 hours in a wide variety of aircraft and helicopters. During two tours in Vietnam, he flew 450 combat missions. He was promoted to the rank of general and named Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps in 1990. He has numerous personal decorations for his service in the Marine Corps and NASA.
While at NASA, Dailey served on the President’s Management Council, co-chaired the Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board and was a national delegate to the Research and Technology Organization supporting NATO.
He served as national commander of the Marine Corps Aviation Association, the Board of the Medal of Honor Foundation and is a member of the Early and Pioneer Naval Aviators Association (“Golden Eagles”).
While at the Smithsonian, he has been awarded the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award by the University of California at Los Angeles, the Statesman of Aviation Award from the National Aeronautic Association, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wings Club, and inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame and the International Aviation Hall of Fame.
Dailey was born in Quantico, Va., and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1956. He and his wife, the former Mimi Rodian of Copenhagen, Denmark, live in Fairfax, Va. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Dr. Roger Launius
Associate Director, Collections and Curatorial Affairs
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum
Roger D. Launius is Associate Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Between 1990 and 2002 he served as chief historian of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. A graduate of Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, he received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1982 and worked as a civilian historian with the United States Air Force until 1990. He has written or edited more than twenty books on aerospace history and is involved in other historical studies.
Dr. Launius has lectured widely on historical subjects to military, academic, technical, and general audiences. He has also served part-time on the faculties of several colleges and universities. He has acted as a reader for publishers, as a member of the governing councils of several professional associations, and on the editorial boards of numerous journals. He served as chair of the history and education panel of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission between 1999 and 2004. He was a consultant to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in 2003 and presented the prestigious Harmon Memorial Lecture in Military History at the United States Air Force Academy in 2006. He is also a recipient of the Exceptional Service Medal and the Exceptional Achievement Medal from NASA. In 2009 he received the John F. Kennedy Astronautics Award from the American Astronautical Society, the Secretary’s Research Prize from the Smithsonian Institution, and the Roger R. Trask Award from the Society for History in the Federal Government, 2009. In addition, he is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the American Astronautical Society; and Associate Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is frequently consulted by the electronic and print media for his views on space issues, and has been a guest commentator on National Public Radio and all the major television networks.
Christopher J. Ferguson
Director, Crew and Mission Systems
Commercial Crew Program
Boeing Space Exploration
Christopher. J. Ferguson (retired U.S. Navy captain and former NASA astronaut) was named Director of Crew and Mission Systems for the Boeing Commercial Crew program, in December 2011. A veteran of three shuttle missions, he reports to John Mulholland, vice president and program manager of Commercial Programs.
In this essential role in Boeing’s human spaceflight program, Ferguson has comprehensive oversight for crew Interface in the design of Boeing’s Commercial Crew Transportation System. In this capacity, he works with NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Directorate, Johnson Space Center’s Engineering, Flight Crew and Mission Operations organizations and Kennedy Space Center’s Commercial Crew Program to ensure Boeing’s design supports NASA’s Human Rating Requirements. He also plays a key leadership role in the development and testing of system concepts and key technologies for the Commercial Space Transportation (CST)-100 spacecraft and integrated launch and ground systems.
The development of a safe, reliable, and cost-effective solution for crew transportation to and from the International Space Station will allow this on-orbit research facility to continue to fulfill its promise as a world-class laboratory.
Ferguson was pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis) and commander of STS-126 (Endeavour) and the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). He has logged more than 40 days in space and 5,700 hours in high performance aircraft. He also served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office and was spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-118, -120, -128 and -129 missions. His experience in crew communications, both on orbit and in the CAPCOM role, is a strong asset in his new Boeing role.
Ferguson has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Drexel University and a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He has been recognized with numerous service awards and citations, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Strike/Flight Air Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (three), Navy Commendation Medal (three) and the Navy Achievement Medal.
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