I was born in Newberry, S.C. on March 9th 1923.  My Father was a Registered Pharmacist. My Mother was born in Wills Point, Texas in 1900.  Until I was the age of 4, we lived with my paternal grandparents.  Their home was a large colonial type.  The Fox family was pillars of the community, having a large dairy farm about five miles outside the city limits.  The Fox family was descendants of Alfred Fox, (Fuchs) originally from Germany.  Alfred married a Lydia Bost, and named their first boy Junius Bost Fox.  The name followed throughout the years.  I am the fourth.

We left Newberry and relocated in Fort Stockton, Texas. My father was the pharmacist and manager of the drug store there.  We left Fort Stockton and relocated in Cross Plains, Texas, where we lived only a short time.  We subsequently relocated in San Angelo, Texas, where at the age of six, I almost lost my life by drowning in the Concho River. Fortunately, the lifeguard on duty saw my struggle and save my life by CPR.

The Depression hit hard for my family, and we were forced to move to Dallas to live with my maternal grandparents.  We were literally broke.  My father had a very hard time finding employment but finally did for a reduced wage. The money earner was my grandmother Petty whose occupation was interior design.  Even so, we struggled to survive.  The depression finally took its toll on my parent's marriage that ended in a divorce.  My Mother found employment with the Federal Government in the Department of Soil Conservation and was relocated in Little Rock, Arkansas.  I continued to live with my grandparents.  My Aunt Bernice had married William Rohde, a German/Spanish engineer.  They lived in Tampico, Mexico.  It was my great fortune to have lived with them for many years during the summer.  The education was priceless and has served me well during these many years.

My grandmother passed away in 1938, the year I was to graduate from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas.  It was decided that I could no longer live with my grandfather, so I went to Little Rock to live with my Mother.  She transferred to Texas with the Corps of Engineers in Fort Worth, Texas.
It was time to go to College.  I had applied and was accepted at Rice University, but because of our meager financial circumstances, it was decided that I could not live in Houston on the income my Mother made.  It was decided that I should go to Texas A&M College, as the financial arrangements in a military school would allow me to attend College.  A decision I cherish to this very day.  My education as an Electrical Engineer was almost finished when I had to enter the armed services.  My military training at Texas A&M was the Signal Corps so I was accepted in that service.  My training was ended in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and I was transferred to Washington, DC in the Pentagon.  I asked to be assigned to work on the installation of the War Department's radio transmitter site, WAR, in Alexandria, Virginia.

My expertise in radio triangulation and Japanese code was apparently required in the Pacific Theater. I was assigned a composite regiment and was engaged in the campaigns of New Guinea and the retaking of the Philippines in Leyte and Luzon.  The war in the Pacific ended and I was returned to the United States in December 1945.  I returned to school, decided I didn't want to be an Electrical Engineer, so I changed my major to Physics.  The change cost me a year and a half of additional education, but it was worth every minute of it.

My first job was at Baylor University Hospital in the research department.  My assignments at the beginning were meager, but grew in importance over the months.  My first major assignment was to accept the shipment of radioisotopes from Clinton Laboratories, Tennessee.  My first assignment with the isotopes was the determination of tracer dosage to be used in radio scanning of the thyroid using (1131) and bone tissue using (P32).  Later, the Laboratory purchased one of the first electron microscopes from RCA.  It was my assignment to accept the instrument, and train to use it.  I later trained graduate students in electron microscopy.  I received a small grant to investigate the use of Ultrasound as related to medicine.  I built the ultrasound generator and demonstrated the cavitation effect on suspended red cells in saline.  It caused quite a bit of excitement by the staff.  However, the excitement abated after a few weeks because we were unable to determine the ultimate use of the machine.  Further investigation was dropped until Dr. Dean Dukes, an allergist, asked if he could use the machine to prepare his desensitization compounds.  I made him a proposition.  If he would move it out of my laboratory, he could have it for his very own.  Little did I realize the potential of Ultrasound in those days?

I was asked to design and make a model of the antigen-antibody reaction in conjunction with the presence of a blocking antibody.  I did make a very large model and had it shipped to Atlantic City for the American Medical Convention.  Attending the convention was a highlight of my life, not only the excitement of the Convention, but the model won first honorable mention.  I will always be grateful for my association with Dr. Joseph M. Hill, a world known Pathologist, Dr. Sol Haberman, the Secretary of the International Hematological Society, and Dr. Alan Reid, a renowned Physical Chemist who did pioneer work on radioactive carbon.  I needed money more than research could provide.  I found an opportunity as an electronic design engineer with Chance Vought Aircraft Company in Grand Prairie, Texas.  My experience there culminated in my having been asked to go to Edwards Air Force Base as communication officer for Chance Vought.

I had just married to Virginia Van Winkle who was making a lot more money than I was as an engineer.  I declined the offer.  As is the case in most like circumstances, my future with Chance Vought was no longer that bright.  I was assigned to design the submarine USS Tunny on-board checkout equipment for the Regalus missile.  The test was performed perfectly at Point wennemy(sp), California.

I left Chance Vought and accepted an assignment as project engineer with Braniff International Airways.  The company had promised a very nice salary increase for the following year.  The raise never materialized. I joined Texas Instruments as an electronics design engineer.  Texas Instruments was known at that time as General Instruments.  However a General Instruments in another state took a dim view of our having their name, so the name was changed to Texas Instruments.  I remained with Texas Instruments until I was asked to join the NASA-MSC in Houston.  I retired from NASA-JSC on January 1985.

Since that time, I have been working as an independent consultant, having consulted for Pan-AM, and Stewart and Stevenson Inc.  I worked with Stewart and Stevenson for about four years on their quite generator program and the US army Transportation command.  Since being retired, I have been involved with the Masons 32 degree, the Scottish rite, and Shrine.  I received the Golden Trowel award for being the Humanitarian of the year.  I also ran for Mayor of Nassau Bay, unsuccessfully, although the margin of defeat was amazingly narrow.  I later served on the Planning commission, and was captain of the medical rescue unit of the volunteer fire department.  I joined Clear Lake Hospital as a volunteer and amassed over 5000 hours of service, during which I earned the Dr. Frist Award as Humanitarian of the year 1992.

Gardens Elementary school in Pasadena, Texas asked a group of us amateur radio operators to set up a communication with the astronauts.  We did make it possible.  The kids had a ball.  After the communications session, I was asked if 1 would like to be a mentor in their Help One Student to Succeed (HOSTS) program.  I said yes.  Twelve years later, I felt I need a rest.

Today, at 87,1 am enjoying jewelry design, Ham Radio, Rotary, The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) with whom I have been District Representative, President three or four times, and currently Service officer.

Junius Bost Fox IV May 24, 2010

Officers   
President Elect   
Geoff Atwater
Past President  
Vissett Sun
Secretary  
Dick Gregg III
Treasurer   
Mike Hernandez
Sergeant-At-Arms  
Joan Skellenger

Directors
Bill Taylor
Scott Rainey
Tony Bloomfield
Johnny White
Scott Smith (Gary Johnson)
Pam Culpepper
Jerrold Dewease
Dick Kidder
Art Wood

2006-07


President Geoffrey Atwater

Geoff is a native Texan! Born in El Paso where his father attended college, he grew up in the Pacific Northwest and met his wife, Vivian, at the University of Washington in Seattle. Geoff returned to Texas in 1983 so that his son could also be a native Texan.

Geoff has an MBA and is a CPA. He has had a diverse career in corporate finance and currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Finance at United Space Alliance, the operator of the nation’s Space Shuttle.

Geoff continues to be married to Vivian, a professor of Art History at UHCL. They have one son, Thomas, who recently graduated from Princeton University and has aspirations to be a surgeon.

Geoff became a Rotarian while hosting an exchange student from France. He has served on the SCR board of directors and is the current president of the club. Of his Rotary experience, he likes to say "I was a member of a Rotary club for 10 years and then I became a Rotarian when I understood the importance of The Rotary Foundation."

Picture from July 24, 2006 Blastoff and writeup from President Atwater.

Officers   
President Elect  
Dick Gregg III
Past President  
J. B. Fox
Secretary  
Mike Hernandez
Treasurer  
Gary Johnson
Sergeant-At-Arms 
Marilyn Musial

Directors
Mark Humphrey
Scott Rainey
Bill Taylor
Mike Cornett
Tony Bloomfield
Pam Culpepper
Jerrold Dewease
Dick Kidder
Art Wood

2007-08

President Dick Gregg III
Picture from photo taken during President Gregg's tenure

Vita

Officers
President Elect  
Mike Hernandez
Past President   
Geoff Atwater
Secretary  
Gary Johnson
Treasurer  
Marilyn Musial
Sergeant-At-Arms  
Jon McKinnie

Directors
Mark Humphrey
David Coney
Bill Taylor
Mike Cornett
Belinda Skloss
Peter Wuenschel
Jerrold Dewease
Dick Kidder
Art Wood

2008-09

President Mike A. Hernandez
Application for membership to Club 1989
Picture of President Hernandez and his wife Teri in 2009

Mr. Miguel A. Hernandez, Jr. was born in Havana, Cuba in 1941 and immigrated to the United States in 1960 fleeing from the Castro Communist regime.  He studied English while working in the mailroom of a New York insurance firm.  From there, he earned an Engineering degree from the University of Florida, followed by a Masters degree in Systems Management.  For 25 years, Mr. Hernandez served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Hernandez Engineering Inc. (HEI), a well known and highly successful engineering firm.  Effective June 2007, HEI was acquired by Bastion Technologies, Inc.  Mr. Hernandez continues his career as a Senior Engineering Advisor to the President of Bastion Technologies, Inc.

Mike started his engineering career in 1967 at NASA as a simulation engineer in the Flight Crew Training Division.  There he specialized in several spacecraft systems and was part of the team that trained the Apollo astronauts for their missions to the Moon.  During this time he also supported several missions at the Control Center in Houston including the Apollo 13 for which he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom as part of the Mission Operations Team.  For over the 14 years working for NASA, thorough the Apollo, Sky Lab and early Shuttle programs, Mike led teams on simulator development, training material development and presentation, procedures development, and flight crew and flight controllers training.  In 1982, Mike Hernandez founded HEI.  The company’s first job was under contract with the German Aerospace Research Agency (DLR) to train crewmembers, develop flight procedures, support Space Lab experiment integration, and prepare ground personnel and supporting European facilities for two dedicated German Space Shuttle missions contracted with NASA. Accolades were received from both sides of the Atlantic following the successful D-1 flight in 1985.  The company proceeded to also support the D-2 mission that took place in 1993.  During the late eighties and early nineties, the two European affiliate companies of HEI, one in Germany and another in the Netherlands, also supported most of the major European space companies and the European Space Agency (ESA) in the development of programs such as the Space Station Columbus module, the Hermes space vehicle, the Tethered Satellite, the Bio Pan, Bio Box and Bio Rack (ESA/Russian) missions, the MPLM and others.

In the USA, the Company became well known throughout the different NASA Centers and contractor companies as a major provider of Safety, Reliability and Quality expertise and services. HEI also specializes in flight operations, engineering design and integration, and information technology applications.  During its 25 years of existence, HEI has performed major  contracts in these areas with Goddard Space Flight Center, Langley, Glenn, Johnson, Kennedy, Ames, Stennis, Marshal, NASA Headquarters, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Thiokol, Lockheed, USA, and others.

Mr. Hernandez is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas and a member of several professional societies including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and the International Academy of Astronautics.  He is also active in leadership roles for the University of Houston at Clear Lake Development & Advisory Council, Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership Aerospace Advisory Committee, the Texas Space Leadership Council and the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Council.  In addition, he was President of the Space Center Rotary Club and serves on the Board of Director of the RNASA, Space Week International, the Boy Scouts of America council, and the Lunar Rendezvous.

On several occasions, Mr. Hernandez has received recognition for his technical and entrepreneurial spirit. He was selected as the 1993 Ernst & Young/Inc. Magazine/Merrill Lynch Entrepreneur of the Year, and received the prestigious National Management Association Golden Knight Award for excellence in business leadership in 2000.  Mr. Hernandez’s accomplishments were also recognized in Washington when Mr. Daniel S. Goldin, former NASA Administrator, selected Mr. Hernandez as a member of the NASA Minority Business Resource Advisory Committee (MBRAC).  Most recently, Mike was selected by President George W. Bush to serve on the Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.  It is clear why he was selected for this position.  His years of service in the aerospace industry, dedication and support of educational foundations, and participation in his community demonstrate his outstanding character and values.

Vita provided May 2011

Officers
President Elect
Jon McKinnie
Past President
Dick H. Gregg III
Secretary
John Wilson
Treasurer
Marilyn Musial
Sergeant-At-Arms
Michael Dennard

Directors
Club Administration
Mark D. Humphrey
Public Relations
John C. Nugent
Membership
Bill H. Geissler
Fund raising
David B. Coney
Community Service A
Belinda K. Skloss
Community Service B
Dick F. Hergert
International Service A
Mike L. Cornett
International Service B
Dick H. Kidder
Vocational Services
Rae DeCastro

 
2009-10

President Jon and Kay McKinnie, CDP
Picture taken at District 5890 Conference April 22-24, 2010

As Operations Manager at Sunbelt Medical Corp, Jon McKinnie is responsible for the “nuts and bolts” of the company’s operation and to facilitate Sunbelt’s expansion nationally and overseas. Previously, Jon served as Internationall Director of Operations for Safari Knowledge Systems, Ltd and was instrumental in Safari’s expansion across the U.S., as well as into the Australian, United Kingdom and most recently, the Japanese markets.  Degreed in Mathematics at Louisiana Tech University, Jon started his career as Data Processing Manager for Ford, Bacon & Davis, a New York based, international engineering firm.  Jon’s charge was to computerize the entire company’s operations, encompassing 40 states and 9 foreign countries.  This was Jon’s first experience in the international market, which has served him well throughout his career.

Jon went on to develop a series of startup companies over the years.  His first, at 25 years old, was Tri-State Computer Services, which grew to cover operations in 15 states.  At 37, Jon started McKinnie & Associates, his flagship company.  McKinnie & Associates developed software and specialized hardware for betting systems and back office operations, starting with horse race tracks and later, lottery systems.  Their operations controlled 90% of the US racing market including Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, and 30% of the world market, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the 2nd largest racing facility in the world.  International lotteries included the Russian Lottery in Moscow, the Swedish National Lottery, and lotteries in Macau, Philippines, Australia, New Guinea, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Norway.  McKinnie & Associates’ growth covered the globe with operations in 14 countries on 4 continents.  As affirmation of Jon’s success, he was selected “Businessman of the Year for the State of Louisiana”.

Jon’s companies were always recognized as being on the leading edge of technologies, resulting in his participation in many advisory positions, including IBM’s Advisory Council and the Louisiana State University Computer Advisory Council.

Jon served as State Racing Commissioner for the State of Louisiana for 6 years and on the board of Racing Commissioner International for 5 years.  During this period, he was selected “Outstanding Racing Commissioner of North America”.

In 1999, Jon was named Executive Director of the National Horse Racing Commission, a national governmental compact, which governed racing regulations across the nation.  During Jon’s tenure, he established one of the first seamless interfaces to the FBI’s criminal database, reducing reporting of criminal history from months to minutes.

During his career, Jon has maintained a community spirit, active in local, state, and national civic activities, including several Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, arts councils, and drug awareness programs. He served as District Secretary and Assistant District Governor for Little Rock Rotary District, was selected as “Rotarian of the Year” for District 6150.  Transferring to Greater Houston District 5890, Jon has served as Area Membership Chair, currently chairs the Technology & Event Resources Committee and will service as Chief of Staff in 2010.  In 2009, Jon was again selected as “Rotarian of the Year” in District 5890.  During Jon’s term as President and President-Elect, Space Center Rotary Club was recognized as “Large Club of the Year”, two years in a row.

Jon and his wife, Kay, founded Mothers Against Drugs, one of the premier drug awareness programs in United States.  Mothers Against Drugs has won two presidential awards, presented by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
 
Jon’s recognition includes:
• “Outstanding Young Business Leaders to Watch” in America
• Louisiana’s “Businessman of the Year” Award
• Pew Foundation’s “Outstanding Racing Commissioner” for North America
• One of Arkansas’ “Outstanding Republicans”
• “Rotarian of the Year” for Arkansas (2005) & Houston (2009)
• “Person of the Year” for Louisiana Racing Industry

In 2008, Jon was selected to host Rotary International President D. K. Lee of South Korea, on his executive tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center facilities.  “To coordinate the activities for Rotary International President Lee, head of Rotary’s 1.2 million members, was indeed an honor and a highlight of my civic career”.

Jon and his wife, Kay, have thee children, four grandchildren, and one spoiled yellow lab, Daisy.

Write up by President McKinnie May  2010. 

Officers
President Elect
David Coney
 Dr. John Wilson (resigned)
Past President
Mike Hernandez
Secretary
Mike Dennard
Treasurer
Marilyn Musial
Sergeant-At-Arms
Sheryl Berg

Directors
Club Administration
J. W. "Bill" Lowes III
Public Relations
John Nugent
Membership
William "Bill" H. Geissler
Fund Raising
Earl  T. Maudlin
Community Service A
Belinda Skloss
Community Service B
Don Kirchoff
International Service A
John Wilson
International Service B
Bob Taggart
Vocational Services
Rae DeCastro 

  
2010-11



Andrea and President David B. Coney
Picture taken at the April 30, 2010 RNASA Gala