Robert “Bobby” Peden is the inaugural mayor of Starbase, Texas. Elected in May 2025, Bobby brings over a decade of experience at SpaceX, where he currently serves as Vice President of Texas Test and Launch. Bobby began his career at SpaceX in 2013 as a ground support equipment engineer at the company’s Rocket Development Facility in McGregor, Texas. He transitioned to Starbase in December 2023 to oversee testing and launch operations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Arkansas Tech University and a master’s in engineering mechanics from the University of Texas. A longtime Texas resident, Bobby lives in Starbase Village with his family.
Jordan Buss is helping shape the future of Starbase, Texas, as one of its first city commissioners. A seasoned environmental, health, and safety executive, Buss was elected in May 2025 to serve on the inaugural city government of the newly incorporated municipality built around SpaceX’s rocket development and launch complex near Boca Chica Beach. Currently serving as Senior Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety at SpaceX, Buss brings vast experience in risk management, emergency preparation and response, regulatory compliance, and partnership with local communities. He joined SpaceX in 2023 after building a career in the energy sector, where he held leadership roles in environmental, health, and safety functions both domestically and internationally. Buss earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and currently resides in Starbase Village with his family.
Jenna Petrzelka, a Brownsville, Texas resident since 2021, brings over a decade of aerospace manufacturing and operations to her role as Starbase Commissioner. Petrzelka began her career at SpaceX in 2012 as an Avionics Process Engineer in Hawthorne, California supporting Falcon reusability and the introduction of Dragon Crew. She later served as Manager of Operations Engineering at Starbase, contributing to the expanding manufacturing operations and introducing SpaceX's Star factory, an approximately one million square-foot manufacturing space.
Beyond her engineering work, in 2022, Petrzelka has engaged in local volunteering through the Good Neighbor Settlement House in Brownsville, a non profit assisting migrants and the homeless. Petrzelka holds two degrees from Iowa State University. She moved to Starbase in 2022 with her family. As commissioner, she aims to help shape Starbase's development as a hub for space exploration and community growth.
Dr. Kent Myers, PhD, is the inaugural City Administrator of Starbase and brings four decades of municipal leadership to the role. A FortWorth native, he began his career as Converse, Texas’s first City Manager andwent on to serve in Casa Grande, Arizona; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Port Angeles,Washington; and Fredericksburg, Texas, where he was City Manager for ten years.Dr. Myers holds a BA in from the University of Texas at Arlington, an MPA fromTexas Christian University, and earned his PhD in Leadership Studies from OurLady of the Lake University in 2021.
Caroline Cole is the first City Clerk of Starbase, Texas. With over 15 years of experience in operations, production, and project management across media, live events, and industrial sectors, she oversees administrative and record-keeping responsibilities, ensuring the city remains compliant with all regulations. Before becoming City Clerk, Caroline served as Operations Manager in the oil and gas industry, where she led acquisitions, client relations, safety compliance, and project scheduling. Earlier in her career, she coordinated logistics, talent, and locations for feature films and supported musical artists, drawing on her knowledge of contract law, media strategy, and promotions.
Caroline holds degrees in Audio Production from Middle Tennessee State University and Art History from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the Texas Municipal Clerks Association. Deeply committed to community service, she has served on the Louisiana Arts & Sciences Museum Gala Committee and currently directs public relations for Friends of the Delta Music Museum. She is president of Friends of Lake Concordia in Louisiana and treasurer of the Do Better Initiative at Starbase.