PORT ST. LUCIE PEOPLE
inventor of turbine and combustion
designs for Siemens Energy in Orlando
since 2000.
Relis has a proverbial middle child,
John. Because she instilled good selfworth
in all her boys, his outgoing,
entrepreneurial energy manifested
itself in positive avenues. He attended
college at night, earning a bachelor’s
degree in three years. Living in Las
Vegas with his family, he operates a
chain of auto service companies and
their spinoffs.
Her eldest son, Ron, is a decorated
Air Force colonel and former NASA
astronaut. She marvels at his uncanny
ability to excel at anything he puts his
mind to. He has degrees in business
economics, aerospace engineering and
an honorary doctorate.
The NASA candidate process was
trying for him. He was the only applicant
who brought his wife along on the
callback. Relis believes it was Carmel
who sealed the deal.
She and Garan met at Hahn Air Base
in Germany. They are parents of three
boys, including twins.
“She’s a really good match for him,”
>> Instead of star-gazing, Garan found himself seeking solutions to problems on earth.
56 Port St. Lucie Magazine
NASA
LINDA RELIS
The Garan sons live in Tuscon, Las Vegas and Orlando, so family get-togethers are planned well in advance. Last year’s gathering was at the Outer Banks in
North Carolina. Linda Relis is the sensible matriarch of the fun-loving bunch.