Former Congressman and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine gave a compelling speech providing behind-the-scenes insight into Washington DC from both the legislative and executive perspectives. He does a skillful job of helping audiences understand the implications of national policy in an apolitical manner. I would recommend him for any audience interested in space and public policy outcomes.
Jim Bridenstine
13th Administrator of NASA, Former U.S. Congressman, and Navy Pilot.
Fee Range
Please contact us for pricing
Jim Bridenstine
Biography
Jim Bridenstine is an independent consultant focused on space, defense, and aeronautics.
Previously, Jim served as the 13th Administrator of NASA, where he was responsible for managing NASA’s 70,000-person workforce and $23 billion annual budget. Under his leadership, NASA reestablished an American human spaceflight program, which was lost after the retirement of the Space Shuttles in 2011. He also created NASA’s Artemis program to establish the first permanent presence on the Moon with commercial and international partners.
Before being appointed as NASA Administrator, Jim served in the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma’s First Congressional District from 2013 to 2018. He was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee where he chaired the Subcommittee on the Environment.
Prior to Congress, Jim served as a pilot in the United States Navy acquiring 1900 flight hours and 333 landings on an aircraft carrier. He flew combat missions in Afghanistan (2002) and Iraq (2003) off the USS Abraham Lincoln, where he earned an Air Medal and Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”. Originally an E-2C Hawkeye pilot, he transitioned to the F-18 Hornet and flew as an aggressor (Red Air) at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, the parent command to TOPGUN.
Jim serves on the Board of Directors for Viasat, Inc., the Board of Trustees of the Aerospace Corporation, and he Chairs the Board of Advisors for Voyager Space.
Jim earned a triple major from Rice University in Economics, Business, and Psychology and an MBA from Cornell University.
Jim Bridenstine
Featured Video
Current: Speaking Reel
Time 03:21
Jim Bridenstine
Featured Keynote Programs
Corporate Branding
While Jim Bridenstine was the NASA Administrator, NASA saw a tremendous increase its brand value and was licensed for cobranding with many companies including clothing stores, tractors, shoes, cartoons, fashion, makeup, and more. Internationally, NASA is the best brand America has. Jim Bridenstine can share the stories that made NASA such an amazing brand and apply those principles to your organization.
Coalition Building
NASA’s role as a tool of diplomacy expanded greatly during Jim Bridenstine’s tenure as the NASA Administrator. He created the largest international coalition of space exploration nations in history with the Artemis Program. Further, he used the Artemis Program to advance the Artemis Accords, establishing international norms of behavior in space that will ensure a sustainable space future. Jim Bridenstine can discuss the delicate political process of building such a diverse coalition and apply those principles to your organization.
Driving Consensus
Managing the political and parochial interests of national leaders to achieve continuity of purpose across multiple administrations requires patience, flexibility, and determination. As NASA Administrator, Jim Bridenstine created multiple programs that spanned multiple administrations. Jim Bridenstine can share the challenges and tools necessary to overcome obstacles and drive consensus to achieve outcomes.
Current Events
Jim Bridenstine is an expert on current space and national security activities. He was on the House Armed Services Committee when the U.S. House of Representatives first passed a bill to create a new military service focused on the space domain. He was the NASA Administrator when the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, and Space Development Agency were established by law and policy. Jim Bridenstine can discuss how space capabilities impact the lives of all Americans every day and the importance of keeping the space domain secure.