Armstrong Interviewer From Down Under Supports Spacesuit Campaign
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - Jul 22, 2015) - The chief executive of global accounting body CPA Australia has lent his weight to the bid to save the spacesuit of legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Alex Malley, who conducted the most comprehensive interview ever recorded with Commander Armstrong, says that reflecting on his famous suit could remind us of what can be achieved through innovation.
"A few years back I had the extraordinary privilege of spending time with Neil Armstrong. He spoke passionately about how vision came together with the science and technology expertise of NASA to enable him and his colleagues to travel to the moon and return home safely," Malley said.
"It's a classic example of how STEM -- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math -- is at the heart of all great innovations around the world.
"When I saw this week the Smithsonian Institution in the United States launching its first crowdsource funding to raise $500,000 to pay for the conservation of Neil Armstrong's spacesuit, I knew I had to get involved.
"It is the courage, conviction and belief Neil Armstrong and NASA showed by sending a man to the moon that we all should marvel at. This is the type of inspiration we need for our students so they also look ahead and dare to dream.
"The conservation of Neil Armstrong's spacesuit, a true symbol of what human endeavour can achieve, is a cause that I am personally supporting.
"I am often asked why Neil Armstrong agreed to be interviewed by an Aussie accountant.
"The answer is our lunchtime meeting in Beaver Creek in Dayton, Ohio, where I lamented that we seemed to have lost touch with his era where the world was then 90 percent vision, ten percent risk management.
"I noted that with all the sophistication of today, we have somehow reversed that percentage and encouraged him to share his insights to inspire future generations.
"Neil's spacesuit is emblematic of vision and courage. Preserving it is a timely reminder that the imbalance between risk management and vision needs to be addressed.
"Whether it's in America or Australia, we all know that not enough young people are signing-up for STEM subjects, and that a lack of STEM skills is holding back our science and technology capacities and our ability to innovate.
"With the fundraising already past the halfway mark, I am quietly confident we'll get the job done in preserving Commander Armstrong's suit, and that it just may provide inspiration for more young people to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills.
"If you would like to join me in supporting this initiative to preserve a true symbol of one of mankind's greatest achievements please visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smithsonian/reboot-the-suit-bring-back-neil-armstrongs-spacesu/.";
About Alex Malley
Alex is the CEO of CPA Australia, a multinational company with 19 offices around the world and more than 150,000 members in 120 countries.
In addition to his role as CEO, Alex hosts Nine Network Australia's nationally broadcast leadership series, The Bottom Line.
The interview Alex conducted with the Neil Armstrong in 2012 was the most substantive ever filmed with the astronaut.
Malley is the author of the book "The Naked CEO, The Truth You Need to Build a Big Life," a best-seller across Australia and in Asia. An invited LinkedIn Influencer, he also writes for The Huffington Post, and is a regular business and leadership commentator for numerous Australian and international media outlets.
