Mr. Statler serves as the Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He manages relations with the United States Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, governors, state legislators and local governments for this independent agency with a budget of more than $18 billion.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Statler served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Congressional Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the nation's largest law enforcement agency. He played a key role in winning Congressional support for the 2003 creation of CBP and the Department of Homeland Security following the attacks of 9/11. Prior to the merger, Mr. Statler managed communications for the legacy United States Customs Service, Department of Treasury, beginning in late 1997 when the Clinton Administration appointed him as Assistant Commissioner for Congressional and Public Affairs.

Mr. Statler previously advised Majority Leader Steny Hoyer from Maryland on fire service, defense and other issues. While working as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Mr. Statler led successful efforts to secure national recognition of the Emmitsburg memorial in 1990 and to create the Foundation in 1992. He also served as chairman of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service Planning Committee.

Mr. Statler, who earned a bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, has chaired the Foundation's Scholarship Committee since its inception. In that role, he has directed the growth of the Foundations' Sarbanes Scholarship Program which has awarded more than a $1 million in aid to surviving children and spouses.