Jim Bridenstine
| James Frederick "Jim" Bridenstine | |
13th Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | |
| In office April 23, 2018 – January 20, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
|---|---|
| Preceded by | Charles Bolden |
| Succeeded by | Bill Nelson |
| In office January 3, 2013 – April 23, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | John A. Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Hern |
| Born | June 15, 1975 Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Michelle Ivory (married 2004) |
| Children | Three children |
| Alma mater | Rice University (Bachelor of Arts) Cornell University (MBA) |
Military Service
| |
| Service/branch | United States Navy United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1998–2007 (Active) 2010–2015 (Reserve) 2015–present (Air National Guard) |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander (Active and Reserve) Major (Air National Guard) |
| Unit | Oklahoma Air National Guard |
| Battles/wars | Afghanistan Campaign |
| Awards | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Navy Unit Commendation |
James Frederick Bridenstine (born June 15, 1975) is the 13th and former administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He is also a Republican former U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district]], based in Tulsa. He served in Congress from January 3, 2013, to April 23, 2018, when he resigned to become the NASA administrator. Bridenstine currently works in several capacities in the private sector.
He was initially nominated by then U.S. President Donald Trump on September 1, 2017, but Democrats blocked his nomination until he was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 19, 2018, by a party-line vote of 50 to 49. He was opposed by liberal Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, a former astronaut whom Bridenstine subsequently recommended to President Joe Biden as his successor.[1]
While in Congress, Bridenstine served on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. He was the first elected official to be appointed NASA administrator.[2]
Bridenstine was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[3] He grew up in Arlington, Texas, the son of an elementary school teacher and an accountant. He is an Eagle Scout[3]
His family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, during his junior year of high school, and during his senior year he was captain of the Jenks High School swim team and Oklahoma Swimmer of the Year;[4] as of mid-2016, was one of a team of four that held the Oklahoma state record in the 200-meter freestyle relay for age group 17–18.[5]
References
- ↑ President Biden Announces his Intent to Nominate Bill Nelson for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The White House (March 19, 2021). Retrieved on March 19, 2021.
- ↑ Kenneth Chang (April 19, 2018). Trump's NASA Nominee, Jim Bridenstine, Confirmed by Senate on Party-Line Vote. New York Times. Retrieved on January 19, 2022.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jim Bridenstine. United States Congress. Retrieved on February 11, 2022.
- ↑ Holly Wall (October 31, 2012). Rocket to the Moon. Retrieved on November 11, 2020.
- ↑ Oklahoma Swimming Records. teamunify.com (April 9, 2016). Retrieved on May 2, 2016.
