We are pleased to announce that veteran Shuttle astronaut and space industry executive Richard O. "Dick" Covey has been named to replace Brewster Shaw as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.  Brewster has returned to Boeing as Vice President and General Manager of Boeing NASA Systems. 

We are extremely fortunate to have Dick on the team. He brings the right management skills and experience to help us achieve the highest levels of safety and mission assurance.   As co-chairman of NASA's Return-to-Flight Task Group, Dick played a critical leadership role in the exhaustive independent assessment of agency actions in response to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations.  And there is nobody better suited to join the United Space Alliance leadership team as we transition our company from ongoing Shuttle and Space Station operations to future Exploration programs.

Effective February 17th, he joins USA from The Boeing Company where he served as President of Boeing Service Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado, providing system engineering, facility/system maintenance and operations, spacecraft operations support, and logistics support to Department of Defense, other US government, and commercial businesses at over 20 locations worldwide.

Before moving to Boeing Service Company, he was vice president of Boeing Houston Operations responsible for business development, program management and support for Boeing programs in Houston. Covey joined The Boeing Company as division director for McDonnell Douglas' Houston Operations in 1996.

A veteran of four Space Shuttle missions, he commanded the flight of Endeavour in December 1993 to service and repair the Hubble Space Telescope. His other space flights included STS-38, a classified Department of Defense mission in 1990; STS-26, the first flight of Discovery after the Challenger accident in 1998; and STS 51-I, another spacecraft repair mission in 1985. In addition to his flight duties, he held key management positions in the Astronaut Office and Flight Crew Operations Directorate at the Johnson Space Center during his 16 years with NASA. 

Prior to joining NASA, Covey was the USAF Joint Test Force Director for F-15 electronic warfare systems developmental and production verification testing at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.  He is a highly decorated combat pilot and is a graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School. His honors include two Defense Distinguished Services Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and five Distinguished Flying Crosses, including four received during the 339 combat missions he flew over Southeast Asia.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968 and a Masters of Science degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University in 1969.

Please join us in welcoming Dick and giving him your very best support.

  [signed]

Michael J. McCulley
President and Chief Executive Office

Norman E. Gookins
Vice President, Human Resources & Administration

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