National Institute of Aerospace

National Institute of Aerospace Names New President

October 14, 2003 - After an extensive, year-long quest the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) in Hampton, Va., has chosen one of its own, Dr. Robert E. Lindberg, Jr., to head the research institute.

Following a national search, the board of NIA is very pleased to select Dr. Bob Lindberg as NIAs first President, said Dr. Mark G. McNamee, Chairman of the National Institute of Aerospace Associates (NIAA) Board of Directors. Bob is an outstanding person who will provide great leadership for the NIA.

Lindberg has been Vice President of Research and Program Development at NIA since it started up almost a year ago. He replaces Dr. Robert Whitehead, a retired NASA Associate Administrator who served as Interim NIA President and Executive Director while the search for a permanent head was underway.

The National Institute of Aerospace is a world-class research institute, located just outside NASAs Langley Research Center. It was created to complement Langleys mission to do cutting-edge aerospace and atmospheric research, develop new technologies for the nation, and help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

I think Bob is a terrific choice, said Dr. Charles E. Harris, Director of NASA Langleys NIA Management Office. He brings to NIA not only an industry background perspective, but also experience at a federal research laboratory.

Before coming to NIA, Lindberg was a senior vice president at Orbital Sciences Corp. He also worked as a branch head and physicist at the Naval Research Laboratory. Lindberg has a bachelors degree in physics from the Worchester Polytechnic Institute, a masters degree in engineering physics from the University of Virginia and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

Im really excited to be given this tremendous opportunity, said Lindberg. The support NIA has received from NASA Langley and the community in our start up year gives me great confidence that the Institute will grow quickly and make great contributions to aerospace research and graduate education.

NIA is a private, non-profit research institute comprised of a consortium of universities and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation, Reston, Va. The roster of major research universities includes consortium members: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga.; Hampton University, Hampton, Va.; North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.; North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.; University of Maryland, College Park, Md.; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.; and affiliate members: Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.; and the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

NIA acts as a strategic partner with NASA Langley to enhance its renowned aerospace and atmospheric research capability. The Institute complements Langleys research creativity, expands research and technology development opportunities, and represents the creation of a significant new research and education asset for the nation. The Institute will also be a catalyst for economic development by stimulating the commercialization of new intellectual property and facilitating the growth of new business opportunities.