3-2-1 and lift-off of the Texas Space Commission...with our CEO Gwen Griffin on board

Photo credit: Office of the Texas Governor; texas.gov

Texas hosted a new kind of launch yesterday. But no rockets took to the sky.

Amidst space capsules, lunar landers and space station mock-ups at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the inaugural members of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee. He was joined by Speaker of the House Representative Dade Phelan and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Representative Greg Bonnen.

Our founder and CEO Gwen Griffin was one of nine accomplished space executives appointed to lead the Commission. She is one of three appointees from Gov. Abbott.

The Texas Space Commission is the result of House Bill 3447, proposed by Rep. Bonnen, which passed the Texas State Legislature on June 13, 2023. It authorizes the use of $350 million to fund a commission that will spearhead continued development of the state’s space industry to ensure Texas remains at the forefront within the U.S. and around the world.

Nothing could be more up Gwen’s alley.

“I am honored to serve on the newly formed Board of the Texas Space Commission and am humbled to be appointed by Governor Abbott,” said Gwen. “As a second-generation space worker, I’m proud to do what I can to ensure Texas maximizes growth opportunities in the burgeoning space industry, and that our nation remains the global leader in space.”

With the appointments announced, the Commission will quickly move into action. Their first tasks will include developing a multi-year strategic plan for the for space in Texas and hiring its executive director to manage the day-to-day operations.

“I’ve been a passionate space advocate for decades and applaud our state leaders for making the commitment to innovation, education, workforce, and economic development in space and technology,” Gwen added.

Gwen founded Griffin Communications Group in 1997 and has evolved it into a nationally recognized strategic communications agency within the aerospace industry and workforce development ecosystem.

Congratulations Gwen on your appointment for this important mission!