FAMES® thanks all the mentors and volunteers who make our program a success. Our mentors and volunteers are from academia, industry, federal agencies, DOD, and entertainment industry. They support programs, introduce students to a variety of career paths by sharing their personal stories, and guide students to specific careers at student’s request. Learn more about OUR IMPACT and GET INVOLVED.
Mentors and volunteers are recognized on our social media.
Benjamin Alvin “Al” Drew
Benjamin Alvin Drew (Colonel, USAF, retired) is a NASA astronaut. He flew on the Space Shuttle mission STS-118 in 2007 and on STS-133 in 2011 to the International Space Station; the Space Shuttle Discovery’s final mission. He became the 200th person to walk in space. Col.Drew received Master of Aerospace Science from Embry-Riddle University and Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College at the United States Air Force’s Air University and Honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom.
According to Col. Drew “Volunteering for STEM is the second best thing about being an astronaut, but a close second to actually flying in space.”
Don Brazelton
Mr. Don Brazelton is the Vice President BD and Capital Funding TPI Group Inc. Don grew up in Northeast Washington, DC. Throughout his school years he was devoted to STEM causes tutoring at a local Math Lab and teaching business math. His love for numbers guided him to STEM education in college. Mr. Brazelton received his BS in Math and Physics from Bowie State University and a BS in Civil Engineering from the George Washington University. He has continued his STEM focus as his career and demonstrates how a STEM education is connected to the financial industry.
Mr. Brazelton serves as a member of the board in local non-profits for youth development. He is passionate about helping inner-city youth reach their full potential.
Mark C. Cherry
Mark C. Cherry is the VP and GM of Phantom Works for the Boeing Defense, Space & Security unit of The Boeing Company. Prior to that he was the President and COO of Aurora Flight Sciences, responsible for the operational and financial performance of the company. He joined industry after serving as an officer in the United States Air Force. Prior to joining Aurora, Mr. Cherry worked at Sikorsky Aircraft as the Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Synergy. He holds an MBA from Stanford University and Master of Science degrees in Systems and Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Mr. Cherry commented, “I am devoted to STEM education and technology, and in helping foster young students who could be future leaders in science and technology. It’s very fulfilling working with FAMES to help the students realize their potential.”
Mary L. Bowden
Dr. Mary L. Bowden is a Keystone Associate Professor in the Dept. of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. Her research interests include assembly of structures in extravehicular assembly, large space structures, and the dynamics of space structures. Dr. Bowden leads the Nearspace.net program at UMD sponsored by the Maryland Space Grant Consortium. She earned a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Professor Bowden said “I am excited to see so many girls participating in the FAMES program with sincere interest and asking great questions. These are our future STEM professionals.”
Richard B. Isaacman
Dr. Richard Isaacman is an astrophysicist. He joined NASA Goddard as a contractor and was head of the science software team for NASA’s first cosmology satellite, the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE). The COBE mission confirmed the major features of the Big Bang theory for the origin of the Universe, and won its project scientist, Dr. John Mather, the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics. Dr. Isaacman worked for SAIC and later joined ADNET Systems, Inc. He received his Ph.D. in astrophysics in 1980 from Leiden University in the Netherlands, after which he became the Netherlands’ science liaison to the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope on Mauna Kea on the Big Island in Hawaii.
Dr. Isaacman is committed to STEM and is pleased that the students participating in FAMES program want to pursue Astronomy education following his presentation.
Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton
Colonel Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton is an Experimental Fighter Test Pilot for the US Air Force. He is currently serving as the Director of the newly created Air Force/MIT AI Accelerator. Prior to this he was the Director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force and Commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California. He supported multiple Red Flag Exercises and real world Operation Noble Eagle missions where he protected the President of the United States; at times escorting Air Force One. He served as the Chief Instructor for 200+ aircrew and as lead test pilot on 11 test programs for the 450+ F-15 fleet. Col Hamilton received his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tennessee and M.S. in Flight Test Engineering from the USAF Test Pilot School.
Col. Hamilton is dedicated to STEM Education. He is the founder and President of STEM-ED, a non-profit for STEM education, where he connects teachers to STEM volunteers for classroom support. He Chairs the AIAA K-12 STEM Committee.