Board of Trustees

Tim Hunter, M.D., Chair

Hunter obtained a B.A. degree from DePauw University in 1966 and his M.D. degree from Northwestern University in 1968. He also received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Arizona in 1980. Currently he is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Radiology in the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona. Tim has been an amateur astronomer since 1950 and in partnership with James McGaha he operates Grasslands Observatory in Sonoita, AZ. He recently completed a Masters degree (MSc) in Astronomy from Swinburne University.  Since 1986 Tim has been interested in the growing problem of light pollution and in 1987 he and Dr. David Crawford founded the International Dark-Sky Association, Inc., to promote quality outdoor lighting and combat the effects of light pollution. In recognition of his passion and dedication to studying the night sky, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association selected Tim as the 2018 recipient of their highest honor: the Bart and Priscilla Bok Award. 

Madelyn R. Creedon, J.D.

Creedon retired from the U.S. Government in 2017 where she was Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) within the Department of Energy. She also served in the Pentagon as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs (2011 - 2014), overseeing policy development in the areas of missile defense, nuclear security, cybersecurity, and space. She served as counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services for many years with focus areas that included the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Threat Reduction, and Nuclear Nonproliferation. Concurrently she served as Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs at the NNSA, Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy, and General Counsel for the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Madelyn began her career as a trial attorney at the Department of Energy. She is the founder of Green Marble Group, LLC, a consulting company, and currently serves on a number of advisory boards related to national security. She has completed a fellowship at the U.S. Study Center at the University of Sydney and is presently a non-resident senior fellow at The Brookings Institute. She holds a J.D. from St. Louis University School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Evansville.

Scott D. Fouse

Fouse is the owner of Fouse Consulting Services, LLC, (based in Scottsdale, AZ) which helps companies harness advanced technology to enable future products and processes. Previously he was VP of the Advanced Technology Center at Lockheed Martin Space. In this role, he was responsible for leading approximately 500 scientists and engineers performing research and development in space science and a variety of space systems-related technologies and capabilities. Prior to ATC Scott served as Director of the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL) and earlier served as Chief Technology Officer of ATL. Before joining Lockheed Martin, Scott was President and CEO of ISX Corporation, a 50-person company that specialized in creating and transitioning advanced IT systems to operational use. Scott was a leader in the DARPA "Command Post of the Future" project, which created a significant advance in C2 Systems and was the primary C2 system for Iraq at the Corp. Division, Brigade and Battalion echelons. From 2003 - 2007 Scott was a member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board. In that position he supported a number of studies, directorate reviews, and chaired a study on Experimentation to support Disruptive Innovation. Scott has a BS in Physics from the University of Central Florida and a MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California.

William K. Hartmann, Ph.D.

Hartmann is a founder and Senior Scientist of the Planetary Science Institute. He and Don Davis (see below) are known for developing, at PSI, the current theory of the origin of the Moon by a large planetesimal impact into the forming Earth. Hartmann's current work involves development of the "PSI isochron system" of counting impact craters to infer ages of various planetary surface units. Hartmann holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and M.S. in Geology from the University of Arizona. He was the first winner of the Carl Sagan Award from the American Astronomical Society, a winner of the G.K. Gilbert award from the Geological Society of America, and a co-winner of the Runcorn-Florensky medal from the European Geophysical Union. In addition to his planetary work, he is known for his astronomical paintings and popular writing, including textbooks, popular science, and two published novels.

Erin Neal

Neal is the founder and sole proprieter of Velocity Government Relations, serving the aerospace and defense communities in Washington, D.C. She is currently Vice President and Programs Chair for the Washington Space Business Roundtable and is slated to take over the helm of that organization in mid-2018. She is a past President of both the National Space Club and Women in Aerospace, and a prior Board Member of the American Astronautical Society. Neal has a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the Centenary College of Louisiana and a Master's in International Science, Technology and Public Policy from The George Washington University. Neal taught math and science as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, Central Africa, and while conducting original space research at the University of Texas at Dallas, Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, and at the Lunar and Planetary Institute adjacent to Johnson Space Center in Houston. She was a policy analyst for the Congressional Research Service, the National Academy of Sciences, NASA Headquarters and the Space Policy Institute. She has also served as a senior staffer to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and as a staff member for two Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In her spare time, Erin leads a Girl Scout troop focused on STEM, community service, and the great outdoors.

Mark V. Sykes, Ph.D., J.D.

Sykes is the C.E.O. and Director of the Planetary Science Institute. He studies asteroids, comets and interplanetary dust, using both ground-based and space-based telescopes, primarily in the thermal infrared. He is the discoverer of cometary dust trails and many extended structures arising from asteroid collisions within the zodiacal cloud.

Mark is the former Chair of the Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society and was made a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his science advocacy. He has been honored by the designation of Minor Planet 4438 Sykes and has also been honored with the 2016 Masursky Award by the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society for outstanding service to planetary science and exploration. 

Mark received his Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences in 1986 and J.D. in 1998 from the University of Arizona (and is admitted to the Arizona Bar). He is also a professional musician and has performed more than 30 seasons with the Arizona Opera Company's chorus. He is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists.

Trustee Emeritus

Donald R. Davis, Ph.D.

Davis is a Founder and Senior Scientist of the Planetary Science Institute. He served on the PSI Board of Trustees for 15 years and now enjoys status as a Trustee Emeritus. In addition to his leadership of the Institute as co-founder and Director for more than 30 years, he has made many contributions to planetary science including advancing our knowledge of asteroids and of the origin of the Moon.