Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), serving her fifth term, became the first woman and first African-American to serve the Dallas area. Named by Ebony as one of the ten most powerful black women, she chairs the Congressional Black Caucus and is ranking member of the House Committee on Science Subcommittee on Research.

Bruce Alberts, an internationally recognized molecular biologist, has been president of the National Academy of Sciences since 1993. The improvement of science education has been a hallmark of his tenure at the Academy, which brings together the nation’s top scientists to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters.

George Boggs is president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, representing more than 1,150 degree-granting institutions and some 10 million students. A chemist as well as an educator, he serves on the Undergraduate Science Education Committee of the National Research Council.

Rita Colwell, director of the National Science Foundation since 1998, has spearheaded the Foundation’s initiatives on K-12 science and mathematics education and increased participation of women and minorities in science and engineering. A biologist, she co-chairs the Committee on Science of the National Science and Technology Council.

Malcolm Gillis is president of Rice University. He spent the first 25 years of his professional life teaching economics and bringing economic analysis to bear on important issues of public policy in nearly twenty countries. Highlighted among substantial public service is membership on the board of the National Council for Science and the Environment and the National Academy of Sciences Board of Sustainable Development.

Dain Hancock is president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, manufacturer of the F-22, F-16, and joint strike fighter. He has held varied senior positions in the U.S. aerospace industry. Recipient of the Engineer of the Year award of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, he co-chairs the North Texas Science and Technology Coalition.

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa has represented Texas’ 15th district since 1996. He serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Financial Services Committee. He is also co-chair of the Democratic Caucus Education Task Force. Prior to his election to Congress, Congressman Hinojosa served 20 years as president and CEO of a family-owned food processing company, H&H Foods.

Erle Nye is chairman of the board and CEO of TXU (formerly Texas Utilities Company). A registered professional engineer and member of local, state and American bar associations, Mr. Nye’s storied career includes chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute, chairman of the Texas Board of Regents and development positions with Texas A&M, University of Texas, Baylor College of Dentistry and Southern Methodist University.

Jill Sideman, president of the National Association for Women in Science, is vice president of CH2M Hill Companies, Ltd. A chemist with broad experience in consulting and environmental liability management and the remediation of contaminated sites, she served on the Congressional commission whose report led to the establishment of BEST.

John Brooks Slaughter is president and CEO of NACME, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Mr. Slaughter was the first African American to serve as director of the National Science Foundation. A former chancellor of the University of Maryland, College Park, Mr. Slaughter also served as editor of the International Journal of Computers and Electrical Engineering.

William Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering. He received the first computer science Ph.D ever awarded at the University of Virginia, where he also served as university professor. Mr. Wulf has served as faculty at Carnegie-Mellon University, as chairman of Tartan Laboratories, and assistant director of the National Science Foundation.