Mission Possible: Astronaut Michael Good Connects with Union Workforce At CISCO Annual Luncheon

May 16, 2025

BURR RIDGE – Before he ever walked in space, astronaut’s Michael “Bueno” Good was a young airman with a toolbox full of dreams. May 9, he was the keynote speaker during CISCO’s Annual Luncheon where he talked about space, sweat, setbacks, and the power of perseverance. “These kids are our future,” he said, acknowledging CISCO’s scholarship recipients who were honored earlier in the program.

“It’s great to give back to the community in this way — to inspire students, and push them to go farther.” Good spoke not as a celebrity, but as a fellow worker who spent decades training, learning, failing, and grinding his way into NASA’s astronaut program.

The students Good addressed were invited to CISCO’s event to be acknowledged for their hard work during their high school careers, and to be honored with college scholarships. CISCO awarded three, 4-year scholarships and two, 2-year scholarships. Since 1995, CISCO has helped its members and their families pursue their dreams of a college education. CISCO started by awarding two (2) scholarships to children of CISCO members. Those scholarships were named after one of its founding fathers – John E. Kenny Jr. of Kenny Construction, and in memory of former Board Member Joe Sullivan of the Roofers Union.

CISCO scholarship recipients include Esteban Salas Serrano, Molly Whelan, Donavan Esquivel, Haley Pennington, and Alianna Ledesma. You can read more about their individual accomplishments HERE.

Good shared stories from his two missions aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis — one to the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009 for repairs, and another to the International Space Station in 2010. The trips added up to just under 25 days in space, 383 laps around the Earth, and more than 10 million miles traveled.

But the deeper point wasn’t the miles or the machinery. It was the mindset. “Dreams aren’t just for kids,” he said. “You’ve got to believe in yourself. Then set goals — and work like hell to get there.” Good said his responsibilities in space mirrored those of workers everywhere. “You come back tired, sore, hungry — but knowing you got the job done.”

CISCO’s audience was filled with men and women who have poured concrete in heatwaves, welded steel in winter winds, and climbed beams high above city streets. They know what it means to sweat for something that lasts.

Good’s spacewalks were expected to last 6.5 hours. They ended up being eight-hour grinds in full gear, racing the clock and handling high-stakes repairs on billion-dollar equipment. “It’s kind of like turning a telescope into an operating room,” he said. “Only the patient is science itself. And there’s no do-over.”

He shared an image with guests — the Omega Centauri — a massive cluster of more than 10 million stars. “That’s why we go to space. To see farther. To understand more. To remind ourselves that we’re a small part of something huge.”

Good gave his best description about what it’s like to float beside the Earth, watching the sunrise and sunset every 45 minutes, and realizing how fragile it all is. “No borders up there,” he said. “No lines. Just one planet, one crew. And we’re all on it together.”

That idea — of solidarity, of shared purpose — felt familiar to the Union audience. It’s the same mindset they bring to job sites across our country.

He closed with a challenge, not just for the college-bound scholarship recipients, but for everyone: “Hold onto your dreams. No one here is too young or too old to dream. And nothing is impossible.” The room erupted in applause.

“I’m not here to inspire you all to be astronauts,” he said. “I’m here to remind you to aim high, work hard, and never let go of what drives you. Godspeed as you journey through life. I salute you,” Good added.

“Colonel Good’s journey is very similar to the critical JATC training of our industry. It is a stark reminder to us that no matter where you start — whether it’s on a jobsite or in a cockpit — discipline, teamwork, training and skilled hands can take you far. Good shared stories of grit, precision, and what it’s like to be part of something bigger than yourself,” Allen said.

In addition to Good and students being honored with scholarships, CISCO celebrated Gas N Wash with an Excellence in Business award for using signatory contractors and Union workforces to build their state-of-the-art facilities for their valued customers. “Gas N Wash’s attention to top quality construction, literally pumps through every aspect of their business,” Allen explained. “They have loyal employees and customers who appreciate the top-notch service and professionalism that Gas N Wash delivers.