Former military boss Walt Natynczyk to lead space agency

[robertross]

Former military boss Walt Natynczyk to lead space agency

The Canadian Press

Posted: Jun 14, 2013 4:24 PM ET

Retired general will assume top CSA post in August

The former head of the Canadian Forces has been picked to lead the Canadian Space Agency.
 
Retired Gen. Walt Natynczyk will become president of the agency in August.

read more here:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/06/14/walt-natynczyk-space-agency.html



more later...

[Jeff Lerner]

Thanks Robert....be interesting to see if he will be able to extract anymore funding for the CSA from the government....i doubt it as it seems the belt is really tightening for all Canadian government departments and agency's due to deficit fighting.

[robertross]

Thanks Robert....be interesting to see if he will be able to extract anymore funding for the CSA from the government....i doubt it as it seems the belt is really tightening for all Canadian government departments and agency's due to deficit fighting.

I actually wonder if there's more to it than just a position to fill.
The general was quite well received in the military & by the public, so that's a huge plus. He's not a Rick Hillier or Romeo Dellaire - those are two of our greatest commanders in recent years (IMO), but he does bring a good CV with him.
But I have to wonder if there might be a re-focusing of priorities for the CSA, more so in the military side of things. We shall see.

I applaud the move. Congrats Gen. Natynczyk.

[robertross]

official notice from the Prime Minister's office:

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&featureId=6&pageId=26&id=5535

PM announces changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service
14 June 2013
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today the following changes in the senior ranks of the Public Service:

General (Retired) Walter John Natynczyk, former Chief of the Defence Staff, becomes President of the Canadian Space Agency, effective August 6, 2013.

[robertross]

And in typical Canadian fashion, they move him on to a new post just as quickly.

General (Retired) Walter Natynczyk, currently President of the Canadian Space Agency, becomes Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs, effective November 3, 2014.

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/10/29/pm-announces-changes-senior-ranks-public-service

and:

"The head of the Canadian Space Agency is leaving the position after barely more than a year on the job."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/walt-natynczyk-head-of-the-canadian-space-agency-moves-to-veterans-affairs-1.2817451

and:

Statement from outgoing Canadian Space Agency President, General (retired) Walter Natynczyk

« It has been an honor to serve as President of the Canadian Space Agency. The Agency has extraordinary potential and an exciting destiny. I believe in its employees. I believe in its mission. Space touches every Canadian, every day of their lives. No matter where I am, I will continue to support Canada’s space program. »

http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/default.asp

There is no announcement on a replacement.

[Hog]

I can understand the draw for a military man to be head of Veterans affairs.  Strong leadership and change is something that our "Brothers/Sisters in Arms" need in the worse way.

I hope the General meant that it was an "honour" to serve CSA.


So long as we dont use any "doctored" images of Canadarm-2 on any GOV websites we'll be OK.

[robertross]

I can understand the draw for a military man to be head of Veterans affairs.  Strong leadership and change is something that our "Brothers/Sisters in Arms" need in the worse way.

I hope the General meant that it was an "honour" to serve CSA.


So long as we don't use any "doctored" images of Canadarm-2 on any GOV websites we'll be OK.

I can too; good choice. Unfortunately we have a 'vacuum' again at the CSA (excuse the pun).
Maybe Chris Hadfield would like the part? 

Oh, good catch on the 'honour' part!
(I have to laugh at the Canadarm-2 note. Only in Canada...)

[Hog]

I can understand the draw for a military man to be head of Veterans affairs.  Strong leadership and change is something that our "Brothers/Sisters in Arms" need in the worse way.

I hope the General meant that it was an "honour" to serve CSA.


So long as we don't use any "doctored" images of Canadarm-2 on any GOV websites we'll be OK.

I can too; good choice. Unfortunately we have a 'vacuum' again at the CSA (excuse the pun).
Maybe Chris Hadfield would like the part? 

Oh, good catch on the 'honour' part!
(I have to laugh at the Canadarm-2 note. Only in Canada...)

Colonel Chris Hadfield would surely do the trick and perhaps bring our Space Agency more towards "center stage".