firm providing strategic thinking and planning, risk management, safety and emerging technology solutions and decision support to aerospace and high-technology industries. Since its formation, Mr. Readdy has served as Managing Partner. In addition, Mr. Readdy has served on several boards of directors of several startups, non-profits and publicly traded companies.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he served as a naval test pilot. Mr. Readdy joined NASA in 1986, and in 1987 became a member of the astronaut corps, but continued his military service in the Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of captain in 2000. Mr. Readdy logged more than 672 hours in space on three shuttle missions. In 1996, he commanded the space shuttle “Atlantis” on a docking mission to the Russian “Mir” space station.
In 2001, Mr. Readdy was appointed NASA’s Associate Administrator for Space Operations responsible for NASA’s major programs, several field centers and an annual budget approaching $7 billion. Following the loss of space shuttle “Columbia” in February 2003, Mr. Readdy chaired NASA’s Space Flight Leadership Council, and oversaw the agency’s recovery from the accident and the shuttle’s successful return to flight in July 2005. Mr. Readdy was honored as a Presidential Meritorious Rank Executive in 2003, and in 2005 was awarded NASA’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal for the second time. In addition to the Distinguished Flying Cross, he is the recipient of numerous national and international aviation and space awards, and has been recognized for his contributions to aerospace safety.
Mr. Readdy brings to the Company tremendous background and experience with NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense and with the aerospace industry in general, which are primary focuses of the Company. He also brings to the Company an extensive knowledge of public policy, program management and contracting matters involving military, civil and commercial space programs. Mr. Readdy serves on the Compensation Committee.
Sha-Chelle Manning
Sha-Chelle Manning is the Director of Corporate Innovation of Pioneer Natural Resources, a large independent oil and gas exploration company. In September, 2013, Ms. Manning was appointed by the governor to the Texas Emerging Technology Advisory Committee, which manages over $485 million of investments.
From September 1, 2008 to April 30, 2010, Ms. Manning has been Managing Director for Nanoholdings LLC, an investment company focused on oil and gas exploration through nano-enabled solutions. From January 2007 to December 31, 2008, Ms. Manning was a Vice President at Authentix, a Carlyle company. From September 2005 to April 2007, Ms. Manning was a consultant to the Office of the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, where she led the development of the Texas nanotechnology strategic plan.
Prior to these assignments, Ms. Manning was Director of Alliances at Zyvex Corporation from August 2002 to September 2005, where she was responsible for the commercialization of nanotechnology products introduced and sold into the marketplace in partnership with key government agencies and industry. Ms. Manning also served as Vice President for Winstar Communications New Media.
Ms. Manning brings to our Board a wide range of experience in management and executive strategic consulting for the companies, Lockheed Martin, HRL Labs, Zyvex Labs and Texas A&M University focusing on high-technology solutions or services. Additionally, her interaction with local, state and federal governments throughout her career provides significant experience with government affairs, particularly in the State of Texas. Ms. Manning serves on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Audit Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Manning meets the qualification guidelines as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the SEC rules.
Daniel T. Russler, Jr.
Daniel Russler has more than 25 years of capital markets, development and entrepreneurial experiences, including an extensive background in sales and trading of a broad variety of equity, fixed income and private placement securities. Since 2003, Mr. Russler has been the Principal Partner of Family Asset Management, LLC, a multi-family office providing high net worth individuals and families with