GOV. RITTER NAMES NEW P-20 COUNCIL CO-CHAIR

 

Gov. Bill Ritter announced today that he has named United Launch Alliance President and CEO Michael Gass to serve as a co-chair of the Governor's P-20 Education Coordinating Council.

 

Gass replaces Bruce Benson, who stepped down as one of three co-chairs earlier this year to become president of the University of Colorado.

 

"As we continue to reform the way we teach and test Colorado students from pre-school to grad school, it's vital that business leaders like Michael Gass help guide the way," Gov. Ritter said. "His expertise and knowledge will be valuable additions to the P-20 Council's mission, which is to provide Colorado businesses with the best-educated workforce for the 21^st century."

 

"On behalf of the 1,600 employees of United Launch Alliance in Colorado, I am honored to co-chair the Governor's education council," Gass said. "ULA is committed to improving the educational system in our home state and increasing opportunities for all students. Our participation in the P-20 effort will help provide a business sector perspective as ULA continues on its path to inspiring the next generation of rocket engineers and scientists."

 

Before joining ULA, Gass served as vice president and general manager of space transportation for Lockheed Martin, overseeing the Atlas, Titan and other space launch projects. He also served in a number of management positions with General Dynamics for 14 years. Gass attended the Sloan Fellows Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received a master's degree in management. He also graduated from Lehigh University with a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering.

 

Gass joins Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien and Colorado State University at Pueblo President Joe Garcia as co-chairs of the P-20 Council.

 

"Colorado is privileged to serve as the home of United Launch Alliance and its many employees and their families," Lt. Gov. O'Brien said. "It will be an equal privilege to serve alongside Michael as we build a better education system that readies today's students for the industries of the future."

 

Gov. Ritter also has appointed Elliott Asp, assistant superintendent for performance improvement in the Cherry Creek School District, to the P-20 Council. He serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Colorado Student Assessment Program and was appointed by Gov. Ritter to the Technical Advisory Group for Longitudinal Growth. He currently chairs the P-20 Council's Data and Accountability Subcommittee.