Bill Nelson

Clarence William Nelson II, known as Bill Nelson, is an American politician and attorney. Born on September 29, 1942, he served as the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after previously serving as a United States senator from Florida from 2001 to 2019. Nelson's political career started in the Florida House of Representatives from 1972 to 1978, followed by serving in the United States House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991. In 1986, he became the second sitting member of U.S. Congress to fly to space, serving as a payload specialist on mission STS-61-C aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Prior to his political career, Nelson served in the U.S. Army Reserve during the Vietnam War. He later held various positions such as Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner, and Fire Marshal of Florida from 1995 to 2001.