Jim Bridenstine
James Frederick Bridenstine (born June 15, 1975) is an American military officer and politician who served as the 13th administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Bridenstine was the United States representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, based in Tulsa from January 3, 2013, to April 23, 2018. He is a member of the Republican Party. Bridenstine currently works in the private sector and holds positions at Voyager Space Holdings, Viasat, Acorn Growth Companies and Firefly Aerospace.
Jim Bridenstine | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2019 | |
| 13th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration | |
| In office April 23, 2018 – January 20, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | James Morhard |
| Preceded by | Charles Bolden |
| Succeeded by | Bill Nelson |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st district | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – April 23, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | John Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Hern |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Frederick Bridenstine June 15, 1975 Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Michelle Ivory (m. 2004) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Rice University (BA) Cornell University (MBA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1998–2007 (Active) 2010–2015 (Reserve) 2015–present (Air National Guard) |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander (Active) Lieutenant Commander (Reserve) Major (Air National Guard) |
| Unit | Oklahoma Air National Guard |
| Battles/wars | War on Terrorism Afghanistan Campaign |
| Awards | See list
|
On September 1, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Bridenstine to be the Administrator of NASA; he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 19, 2018, by a party-line vote of 50–49. Bridenstine was on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology during his time in Congress. He is the first elected official to be appointed NASA Administrator.
Bridenstine stepped down as the head of NASA on January 20, 2021, to make way for a new leader in the Biden Administration. Former Senator and astronaut Bill Nelson was announced on March 19, 2021, as his chosen successor.