Charles F Bolden Jr

Chief Executive Officer of JackandPanther LLC, a privately-held military and aerospace consulting firm. Charles F. Bolden, Jr. received a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master of science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California, and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland. He has received Honorary Doctorates from several distinguished universities. He was a space shuttle pilot astronaut for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for 13 years, flying four space missions. From April 1992 to June 1993 Mr. Bolden served as Assistant Deputy Administrator for NASA. He was assigned Deputy Commanding General, I MEF, Marine Forces, Pacific in 1997. Mr. Bolden served as Commanding General, I MEF (FWD) for Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait from February to June 1998. In July 1998, he was promoted to Major General serving as the Commanding General of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing. Mr. Bolden retired from the United States Marine Corps on January 1, 2003 after serving 34 and a half years. He has been awarded a number of military and NASA decorations. Mr. Bolden was the President and Chief Operating Officer of American PureTex Water Corporation and PureTex Water Works from January to April 2003. He was Senior Vice President at TechTrans International, Inc. from April 2003 until January 1, 2005. Mr. Bolden is currently Chief Executive Officer of JackandPanther LLC, a privately-held military and aerospace consulting small business firm. He is also a director of Bristow Group Inc., GenCorp Inc. and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. Mr. Bolden is a trustee for the University of Southern California, and is also a director of the Military Child Education Coalition and the Sickle Cell Association of the Texas Gulf Coast.