Captain Eugene Cernan
Captain Eugene A. Cernan is President and CEO of The Cernan Corporation and the Cernan Group, Inc., space-related technology and marketing consulting firms. The Cernan group has been involved with consumer application of current technology since their founding.
Captain Eugene A. Cernan also acts as a Special Consultant with ABC in on-camera support of ABC News and Special Events covering space programming.
Captain Eugene A. Cernan joined Digital Equipment Corporation in 1986 where he was an Executive Consultant-Aerospace and Government for the Government Systems Group organization. From 1976 to 1981, Cernan was the Executive Vice President, International and Director of Coral Petroleum, Inc. At the same time, Cernan continued his education at the Wharton School of Finance and Northwestern University.
After serving 20 years as a Naval Aviator, Captain Cernan retired from the United States Navy in 1976. Thirteen of these years were dedicated to involvement with NASA as an astronaut. During his years with NASA, Cernan flew on three separate space missions. He was the second man to walk in space as the pilot on Gemini IX, one of three to venture to the moon on Apollo X, and as Commander of Apollo XVII, Captain Cernan was the last man to leave his footprints on the surface of the moon. Captain Cernan also participated in the design, engineering, and development testing of spacecraft hardware and systems. He was a member of the NASA senior management team and reviewed decisions which directly affected operations and mission planning. From 1973 through 1975, Captain Cernan was a Senior United States Negotiator during discussions with the USSR concerning the joint US and Soviet Apollo/Soyuz project.
Captain Cernan got a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1956. He earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1963 from the US Naval Post Graduate School. Captain Cernan was also awarded Honorary Doctorates from Purdue, Drexel, and Gonzaga Universities and from the Western State College of Law. His honors include the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with Star, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the FAI International Gold Medal for Space, the VFW Gold Space Award, the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor, and a Television Emmy.
Captain Cernan is a member of many professional societies, including: Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Association of Naval Aviation, American Space Institute, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronautical Society, and the Explorers Club. He is on the Board of Directors of the Young Astronaut Council and the US Space Foundation. Captain Cernan is a member of the President's Engineering Committee at Purdue University, the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, and Hope for a Drug-Free America Foundations.
