Speakers

The proposed moderator for the Mission Critical Messaging session is Gwen Griffin, founder and CEO, Griffin Communications Group.

GWEN GRIFFIN

Since launching the agency in 1997, Gwen has led the Griffin team to create and implement strategic communications campaigns to advance commercial, civil and military space in both B2B and B2C environments. Her vision for the future guided the agency to support nonprofit, trade and educational institutions to prepare the skilled talent needed in the burgeoning space industry.   

• A four-decade career in communications – Gwen’s career roles have ranged from positions in communications and marketing for defense manufacturing and commercial space companies to consumer entertainment and hospitality-themed organizations focused on space and exploration.
• Appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the newly launched Texas Space Commission where she now serves as the first Board Chair. Currently working to spearhead initiatives and partnerships that enable rapid innovation and technology development, grow the Texas and national space economy, and ensure national security and the peaceful use of space.  ​
• Known throughout the industry for taking the time to truly understand a client’s needs and helping them make meaningful connections that generate results. Gwen thrives on building relationships across industries, nonprofits and government entities to accelerate collaboration and reduce duplicity – offering Griffin’s clients and friends the opportunity to connect and thrive.  ​
• Dedicated to delivering top-notch tech talent for the 21st century and spurring economic development growth through space-based learning and partnerships in informal and formal education environments. 
   
  Philanthropic Service:
• Vice Chair of the Space Center Houston Board of Directors  
• Member of the College of Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Central Florida   
• Trustee of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation   
• Chair Emeritus of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership   
   
  Education: Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Central Florida

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The proposed moderator for the State of Play session is Norman Garza, executive director, Texas Space Commission.

NORMAN GARZA

Norman Roy Garza, Jr., joined Texas Space Commission (TxSC) as the inaugural executive director on July 1, 2024. Previously, he served in several capacities in the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) since 2014.

During his time with TAMUS, Mr. Garza held two titles: assistant vice chancellor of government relations and external affairs for three state agencies funded by the Legislature – Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, the Engineering Extension Service and the Transportation Institute. He also served as vice president of government relations for Texas A&M University in College Station – TAMUS’s flagship campus – and for TAMUS’s remote sites in McAllen, Houston and D.C. and the Branch Campus in Galveston.

While with TAMUS, Mr. Garza supported major initiatives such as partnering with U.S. Army Futures Command to create the Bush Combat Development Complex; obtaining management contracts from the National Nuclear Security Administration for the Los Alamos National Laboratory as well as the Pantex Plant; securing state appropriations to build the Center for Infrastructure Renewal at The RELLIS Campus in Bryan, Texas; implementing an advanced manufacturing workforce training program with the Port of Brownsville; and establishing the A&M Semiconductor Institute as well as the A&M Space Institute. Mr. Garza also was an associate legislative director at the Texas Farm Bureau and worked for a state senator at the Texas Capitol.

Born in Harlingen, Mr. Garza is a native Texan with roots across the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. He is a graduate of Pleasanton High School and St. Edward’s University, having earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. Additionally, he studied at the Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and earned a certificate through the Governor’s Executive Development Program from The University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. Garza has volunteered in leadership roles with several statewide non-profit organizations, such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Stewards of the Wild program; Texan by Nature; Texas Agriculture Land Trust; and Saint Mary Cathedral in Austin, Texas.