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2020 SESSION


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 100
Commending David E. Bowles.

 

Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2020
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 24, 2020

 

WHEREAS, David E. Bowles, former director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Langley Research Center, took the helm of the newly established Virginia Institute for Spaceflight and Autonomy at Old Dominion University in 2019; and

WHEREAS, David “Dave” Bowles joined the director’s office at the NASA Langley Research Center in 2012, serving as associate director and deputy director before becoming center director in 2015; during his tenure leading the nation’s first civilian aeronautical research facility, he advanced the center’s mission while overseeing a budget of $870 million, a workforce of 3,400 employees, and a complex of 189 buildings; and

WHEREAS, Dave Bowles’ journey as an aerospace engineer started at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in engineering mechanics in 1978, 1980, and 1990, respectively; and

WHEREAS, beginning his career at the Langley Research Center 39 years ago studying advanced materials for use on aerospace vehicles and in space, Dave Bowles rose to management positions within NASA’s Next Generation Launch Technology Program and Advanced Subsonic Technology Program, and served as director of Langley Research Center’s Exploration and Space Operations Directorate before joining the director’s office; and

WHEREAS, by joining the Virginia Institute for Spaceflight and Autonomy, Dave Bowles is continuing his efforts to make the Commonwealth a leader in emerging aerospace technologies; since 2015 he has provided his expertise on the Virginia Governor’s Aerospace Advisory Council and in 2017 was a member of the committee on “A Blueprint for Growth of the Virginia Aviation and Aerospace Industry” through the Joint Commission on Technology and Science; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his remarkable professional accomplishments and contributions to the federal government and NASA, Dave Bowles received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in 2017 and the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal in 2005 and 2015; and

WHEREAS, Dave Bowles fostered an organizational culture at the Langley Research Center that values efficiency, diversity, and excellence; he will bring his years of leadership experience to Old Dominion University to make the Virginia Institute for Spaceflight and Autonomy a leader in its field; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend David E. Bowles, former director of NASA’s Langley Research Center and new executive director of the Virginia Institute for Spaceflight and Autonomy at Old Dominion University, on his remarkable career; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to David E. Bowles as an expression of the General Assembly’s profound respect and admiration for his service to the nation and the Commonwealth.