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Helping the late astronaut Sen. John Glenn with legal
counsel tied to his hotel project led to ASF securing one of its most dedicated volunteers … Mike
Neukamm. Over their years of working together, Mike got to know Sen. Glenn well and relished hearing
the stories of his space travel adventures. As a founding member of ASF, Sen. Glenn one day asked Mike
for a favor – would he volunteer his time to help the Foundation with a few corporate governance
matters? That was April 2004. Within a few years, the board of directors appointed Mike to treasurer …
a position he held for more than a decade. Today, Mike serves as the board secretary and is a member
of the Executive Committee.
"This is an organization that gets into your soul," Mike
says. "I first got involved as a favor to a long-time client. Then, I got to know the astronauts
and was struck by their deep care and concern for the Foundation’s mission; something that has never
wavered over the years."
Mike holds some special memories during his time with ASF.
"Magical" is the word he used to describe the night he and his wife picked up Neil Armstrong
from the Orlando airport and later enjoyed a wonderful lunch. In 2013, he sat next to Christina Koch
at the Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. A former Astronaut Scholar, Christina had just been
selected to NASA’s newest class of astronauts; a feat Mike coined as a "full-circle moment."
And when he served on the Scholarship Committee, he consistently shook his head in disbelief at the
caliber and quality of the candidates. "Every year, I was faced with the difficult task of
discerning between someone who was extraordinary versus someone who was just incredible. It was both a
challenge and a delight."
Mike credits his time with ASF as some of the most fulfilling
years in his legal career. "It’s heartwarming to see the growth of the Foundation – from
sponsorship to its outreach to bright, driven and dedicated scholarship recipients to the Alumni
Scholars, who are so engaged and giving. From those who serve ASF to the people that benefit, it’s
quality at the highest level."
Thank you, Mike, for nearly two decades of tireless
commitment to the ASF mission.