Richard O. Covey to Retire as USA President & CEO

HOUSTON, March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Richard O. Covey today announced his intentions to retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Space Alliance, effective March 26, 2010. Covey is retiring following a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years as an Air Force fighter pilot, NASA astronaut and a highly respected space industry executive.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080407/LAM060LOGO)

A replacement has not yet been named.

"Being part of the United Space Alliance team for the past four years, first as COO and then CEO, has been one of the highlights of my career," Covey said. "I am proud to be associated with such a dedicated and talented group of professionals. I will be watching with great pride and interest as the team completes the remaining Shuttle missions and transitions to a new era of space flight."

Covey joined USA in 2006 as Chief Operating Officer after serving as President of Boeing Service Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He became USA's President and CEO in September 2007.

From 2003 to 2005, Covey provided critical leadership as co-chairman of the Return-to-Flight Task Group conducting an independent assessment of NASA's response to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations. For this, he was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal.

A former NASA astronaut, Covey piloted STS 51-I, a spacecraft repair mission in 1985 and STS-26, the first flight of Discovery after the Challenger accident in 1988. He then commanded STS-38, a classified Department of Defense mission in 1990, and the flight of Endeavour on STS-61 in 1993 to service and repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

Prior to joining NASA, Covey served in the US Air Force as a test force director, test pilot and operational fighter pilot. His honors include two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and five Distinguished Flying Crosses, including four received during the 339 combat missions he flew over Southeast Asia.

"Dick has made numerous contributions to USA and to the entire human space flight industry," said USA Chief Operating Officer Dan Brandenstein. "His steady leadership has made a tremendous impact on the aerospace community and he will be greatly missed. We wish him the very best."

United Space Alliance is a world leader in space operations with extensive experience in all aspects of the field. Headquartered in Houston, USA has more than 8,000 employees working in Texas, Florida and Alabama. Currently, USA is applying its broad range of capabilities to NASA's Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and international space industry sectors.

SOURCE United Space Alliance

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED