FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 31, 2024

Norfolk, VA – The Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA) welcomes four new members to its Board of Directors. In July, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced the appointments of Lt. Col. Carol Chang, Rear Admiral Michael Wettlaufer (Retired), John “Mac” Curtis, and Lt. General Robert Hinson (Retired). Together, they bring decades of knowledge and experience from various industries to help guide the Authority in the coming years.

Lt. Colonel Carol Chang is a career space professional with over two decades of experience. Chang served as a Space Officer in the U.S. Air Force and continues serving as a Lt. Colonel in the USAF Reserve. She currently serves as the Deputy Director of Force Assessment, U.S. Space Force in Washington, D.C.  Chang earned a bachelor’s in political science at the University of California, San Diego, a master’s in economics at the University of Oklahoma, and completed multiple leadership programs. Ms. Chang lives in Springfield, VA.

Rear Admiral Michael Wettlaufer,a Virginia native, retired from the U.S. Navy. He earned his commission through the Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1986 and holds a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Before retiring in 2023, he commanded the Military Sealift Command at Naval Station Norfolk. Mr. Wettlaufer now lives in Raleigh, NC.

John “Mac” Curtis earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering from Virginia Military Institute and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Cubic Corporation. Curtis serves on several non-profit boards, including the Professional Services Council (P.S.C.), the Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the Military Bowl/U.S.O. board supporting wounded veterans, and the Greater Washington Region of the American Heart Association. Mr. Curtis lives in Leesburg, VA.

Lt. General Robert Hinson retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2003 after 33 years of service. He enlisted in the USAF following graduation from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s in education. He flew more than 3,000 hours as a command pilot, primarily in bomber aircraft. Hinson’s final assignment was Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, CO. Mr. Hinson currently lives in Papillion, NE.

The appointments of these new board members to the VSA will replace Jeff Bingham, who passed away in May, and outgoing board members Ed Bolton, Morris Foster, Linda Thomas-Glover, and Kathryn Thornton. VSA extends its gratitude to each of them for their service and commitment to the Commonwealth and the Authority.  

The Virginia Spaceport Authority, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia, owns and operates the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) located at Wallops Island. VSA’s mission is to provide assured access to space by operating, maintaining, and growing and growing a premier spaceport, stimulating aerospace-related economic development in the Commonwealth, and promoting educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

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Media Contact:

Lillian Palmbach

Chief of External Relations

757- 837-3304

lillian.palmbach@vaspace.org

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