About Rod D. Martin
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by Rod D. Martin
September 16, 2014
Congratulations to Boeing and SpaceX for winning the biggest prize yet on the new frontier: NASA’s Commercial Crew contract to provide what the media is calling “space taxi” service between Earth and the International Space Station (and other low Earth orbit, or LEO, destinations such as the planned Bigelow Aerospace space station).
It’s not that shocking that a company like Boeing would be successful, even though its CST-100 spacecraft is a new design. But SpaceX is quite another matter. Only founded in 2002 by my former PayPal colleague Elon Musk — post-IPO but even before the sale to eBay — SpaceX is a marvel, a true triumph of entrepreneurship and brilliance like few ventures in history. Elon’s achievement goes far beyond becoming the primary means by which American astronauts will enter space, at least for several years. But even that much is more than anyone could have reasonably dreamed only a few short years ago.
The SpaceX Dragon v2 and the Boeing CST-100 were not the only competitors for the CCP contract, nor are they the only spacecraft headed to a launch site in the next few years. Spaceflight Insider has a great rundown on these vehicles and their different purposes that would be well worth your time.
This is the beginning of a revolution, like the U.S. government’s decision to assist the nascent aircraft industry by awarding contracts for Air Mail. Congratulations again, to Boeing of course, but especially to Elon Musk and his intrepid team. See you on Mars, guys.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
The future of technology is the future of America. Rod Martin sees that future clearly, and also sees how to shape it for the betterment of all. He is firmly rooted in the traditions of faith and patriotism that have made America great. That’s why he has made, and will make, so many outstanding contributions in so many areas.
