In September 2003, a core committee was organized to explore the possibility of establishing a
planetarium in Austin, Texas. After extensive research of similar organizations, this group
concluded that a planetarium is economically feasible in Austin.
The Friends of the Austin Planetarium (FOTAP) was incorporated in December 2003, and received
501(c)(3) Federal nonprofit status in February 2004. The Board of Directors of the
Friends of the Austin Planetarium have taken the first steps, and we hope to engage the interests
and involvement of the greater Austin community in a manner that will result in realization of
the Austin Planetarium.
Meet the Board
Torvald Hessel, President
(view Vcard)
Torvald Hessel was elected to the Board in 2003 and currently serves as President and webmaster for
www.austinplanetarium.org. He grew up in the Netherlands, Europe, and received his Masters Degree
in Astrophysics from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. During his graduate school he
worked for several years at a major Planetarium in Amsterdam as lecturer and presenter. He developed
planetarium presentations and taught Astronomy on all levels, from kindergarten kids to adults and
fellow Astronomers. In 1999 he immigrated to the United States and ended up in Austin, TX. Currently he
works as a web designer and programmer for the University of Texas.
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Ron Johns, Vice President
(view Vcard)
Ron Johns was elected to the Board in 2003 and currently serves as Board Vice-President. He is a professor of
geology at Austin Community College. Dr. Johns obtained his B.S with honors in Geology from Purdue University
in West Lafayette, Indiana, then continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin. He received his
M.A in Geological Sciences in 1987, and his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences in 1993. He was formerly the Chair of
the Physical Sciences Dept. at ACC, and oversaw the college's programs in Astronomy, Engineering, Geology, and
Physics. He is now the Assistant Dean of Math/Sciences at ACC's Riverside campus.
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Lary Cotten, Secretary
Lary Cotten was elected to the Board at the November 2007 board meeting. He is an electrical engineer specializing
in the design and engineering of art, media, and entertainment technologies. Lary has spent the last couple of decades
in Austin developing automated lighting, projection and control systems at High End Systems, managing electrical
engineering for Frog Design, founding Open Labs, a manufacturer of audio and music production workstations, and
creating installations for Naka Media design and engineering. He now serves as the director of research and
development for D2M Technologies, a locally based engineering and product development firm. After growing up
in a school with a planetarium, observatory, theater and television studio, he came to Austin and never left.
Lary often claims to be building a large telescope.
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Seth Roland, Treasurer
Seth Roland was elected to the Board in May 2008 and currently serves as Treasurer. He grew up in New Jersey and
earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
His varied background includes software development, project management and finance, and he currently works as an
Investment Manager while still making a hobby of computer programming. He has served as a Treasurer and consultant
in other Austin non-profits. Since arriving in Austin two years ago with his wife and two daughters (ages six and
three), he has wondered where the science museums and planetariums are. Now he knows.
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Larry Forrest
(view Vcard)
Larry Forrest was elected to the Board in 2003. He
earned his B.S. from George Mason University in Virginia, and continued his education with
course work in Public Administration at Texas State University. His experience includes a
tour as an Air Force statistical analyst and several State Health Department positions in Austin.
In 1983, he co-founded Glass Mountain Optics, Inc. (GMO), which specializes in massive optics
and optical systems, and is currently the President of GMO. He has been a long-time active
member and past officer of the Austin Astronomical Society (AAS), and was largely responsible
for the rebuilding of the Society’s major telescope at Canyon of the Eagle’s Eagle Eye Observatory
near Burnet. He has also been an instructor for UT’s Informal Classes in Astronomy and is a
past member of Lone Star Mensa.
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Steve Rung
(view Vcard)
Elected to the Board in 2004, Steve currently serves as backup webmaster for www.austinplanetarium.org.
He spent his childhood in upstate New York, where the night sky is very dark – perfect for a boy to fall in
love with the stars. Steve attended both Trinity University and the University of Texas at Austin, graduating
from UT with a degree in Mathematics. Still an astronomy enthusiast, Steve currently works as an Assistant Director
for the University of Texas. He is married and has two kids (ages thirteen and nine) who would love
to go visit a planetarium in Austin.
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Advisors (in alphabetical order)
Anne Adams-McCanse Adkins, Secretary
Anne Adams-McCanse Adkins served for three years as Director of the board. She resigned in early 2007
but she is still active as an advisor.
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Rebecca Johnson
Rebecca has 10 years experience communicating astronomy to the public. For the past six years, she has
been Editor of StarDate magazine, and also handles media relations for The University of Texas at Austin
McDonald Observatory.
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Matthew Michael Agee
An award-winning educational design specialist with Freelands Natural Design, Matthew is working on the facility
architectural planning and design.
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Barbara ten Brink
The Elementary Science Specialist for Austin Independent School District, Barbara's knowledge of the school
district's science curriculum and testing is invaluable.
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Mark Diaz
With a doctorate in Education and over 19 years administrative experience, most recently in his position as superintendent of Manor
Independent School District, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge to FOTAP through his vast network of relationships among Central Texas
educators and businessmen.
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Sharleen Forrest
Sharleen Forrest served as a board member and treasurer from 2003 until June 2008. After 5 years of hard work
she decided to focus on other things in her life, but thankfully, is still available as an advisor to the board.
Her extensive knowledge will be greatly appreciated!
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J. Roger Williams, Jr.
Roger, a lawyer with the intellectual property practice group in the Austin office of Andrews Kurth,
LLP, provides insights to the Board based on his legal experience and his Board-level experience
with other non-profit organizations.
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