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NASA Appoints New Leadership Amid Strategic Changes

On Monday, NASA’s acting Administrator Janet Petro announced significant leadership changes within the agency, appointing Vanessa Wyche as the acting associate administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., effective immediately. Wyche, previously the director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, will serve as Petro’s senior advisor, overseeing the agency’s center directors and mission directorate associate administrators. In this capacity, she will function as the chief operating officer for approximately 18,000 civil servant employees and manage an annual budget exceeding $25 billion. Stephen Koerner will succeed Wyche as the acting center director of NASA Johnson.

Additionally, the agency has named Jackie Jester as the associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. Meanwhile, Catherine Koerner, who has held the position of associate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, will retire on Friday, February 28. In her place, Lori Glaze will take on the role of acting associate administrator for the mission directorate.

Emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership, Petro stated, “As we continue to advance our mission, it’s crucial that we have strong, experienced leaders in place. Vanessa will bring exceptional leadership to NASA’s senior ranks, helping guide our workforce toward the opportunities that lie ahead, while Steve will continue to provide steadfast leadership at NASA Johnson. Jackie’s return to the agency will ensure we remain closely aligned with national priorities as we work with Congress. Cathy’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to human spaceflight, and we are grateful for her years of service. Lori’s leadership will continue to build on that legacy as we push forward in our exploration efforts. These appointments reflect NASA’s unwavering commitment to excellence, and I have full confidence that each of these leaders will carry our vision forward with purpose, integrity, and a relentless drive to succeed.”

Vanessa Wyche’s previous role as the director of NASA Johnson included overseeing critical components of human spaceflight, such as the development and operation of human spacecraft, the selection and training of NASA astronauts, and the management of the International Space Station, along with commercial initiatives in low Earth orbit. Wyche’s extensive career at NASA spans 35 years, during which she has held various leadership positions, including deputy center director and executive officer in the Office of the Administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and a Master of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University.

Stephen Koerner, serving as Wyche’s deputy at NASA Johnson, has played a vital role in strategic workforce planning and served as the Designated Agency Safety Health Officer. Before this role, Koerner held several leadership positions, including director of the Flight Operations Directorate and chief financial officer. His appointment to the deputy director role came in July 2021.

Jackie Jester returns to NASA after a stint as the senior director for government affairs at Relativity Space. In her new position, she will lead efforts to manage communication with the U.S. Congress and advise agency leaders on legislative initiatives. Jester’s previous experiences include roles at NASA, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and as a professional staff member for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Catherine Koerner has served NASA diligently for 34 years, with significant contributions as the associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Her prior roles have included program manager for Orion and leadership positions within the International Space Station Program. She has been a pivotal figure in advancing NASA’s capabilities in deep space exploration.

Lori Glaze, who will step into the acting associate administrator role, has a strong background in planetary science and previously led NASA’s Planetary Science Division. Glaze has advocated for Venus exploration and has served as the principal investigator for important missions aimed at understanding our solar system. Her academic background includes degrees in Physics and Environmental Science.

For further information about NASA’s various missions and initiatives, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

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www.nasa.gov