Retirement Reception for Dr. Carl Pilcher Director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute

January 31: Building N200 Lobby, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. POC: Mary Walsh, mary.walsh@nasa.gov Dr. Carl Pilcher, Director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, will retire on January 31, 2013, after more than 21 years of dedicated government service at NASA Headquarters and NASA Ames. There will be a reception for him in the lobby of Building N200 on Thursday, January 31, from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. We are accepting voluntary monetary donations for refreshments. Please contact Jeni Ornelas in Bldg. N247, Room 214 or during the reception. Pilcher’s NASA management career began as science director in the Office of Exploration. After President George H.W. Bush announced plans to return humans to the moon, he moved to the Office of Space Science and Applications. He then managed the new solar system exploration robotic missions, organizing the Clementine lunar mission’s science team. He led development of the Discovery Program’s small solar system exploration missions. He played a pivotal role in the Mars Pathfinder Discovery mission by developing the partnership that led to the inclusion of the Sojourner rover. Pilcher later held a series of Headquarters science management positions. Before starting his current position as NAI director in September 2006 at Ames, he was the NASA Senior Scientist for Astrobiology. Pilcher has received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal, numerous Group Achievement Awards and an Ames Honor Award. Please join us in honoring his distinguished career by stopping by to wish Carl a happy retirement.