Glen Gooch grew up in Florence, AL and attended the University of North Alabama prior to transferring to Auburn University. He graduated from Auburn with a B.S. Chemical Engineering in 1981. He was fortunate to graduate with summer job work experience in coal fired steam plant maintenance, nuclear power plant construction, and production of liquid and solid rare earth halides.

After graduation Glen took off a few months to let his brain rest and help his father remodel the family restaurant. Following a job hunting trip to Dallas he was hired by Texas Instruments as a Process Engineer manufacturing military infrared electronic systems. He later took a supervisory position in the Materials Branch of the Procurement Quality Assurance Department.

In 1987 Glen was hired by United Space Boosters Inc. as a Materials and Processes (M&P) engineer and moved to Huntsville, AL. He was responsible for working all M&P related issues with the suppliers of the electronic black boxes, cables, batteries, and pyrotechnic hardware and their integration on the SpaceShuttle Solid Rocket Booster.

After working nearly 3 years on International Space Station (ISS) hardware as a contractor for Boeing-HSV Glen began work in 1999 as a materials specialist for Jacobs Technology at Marshall Space Flight Center. He supported the Space Shuttle External Tank and Solid Rocket Motor projects, ISS Environmental Control and Life Support System, and various scientific payloads and satellites. He spent the majority of his last working years supporting the Space Launch System Program reviewing the design, materials selection, and materials approval for the Core Stage and Exploration Upper Stage.

Glen retired in 2022 to spend more time with his family and friends, traveling, and just relaxing and doing things he enjoys. He is married to Lisa since 1987, has two children and one grandchild, and resides in the rural area north of Huntsville. He enjoys repairing anything that breaks, working in the yard and garden, and spending time in the wooded area on his property that fronts the Flint River. For his and Lisa’s personal enjoyment Glen roasts small batches of coffee beans in a hot air fluidized bed. In typical engineer manner he maintains a data log for each batch roasted and has roasted over 1900 batches as of 2024. Glen is active in the church and has taught class for elementary and middle school. He was a deacon for the mission work in Siquirres, Costa Rica from 2008 until 2018. He and Lisa traveled there each year with other church members to work with the local Siquirres church members.

Glen became a member of the alumni council in 2012. He serves on the Membership Committee and for a few years served as the Committee Chair.