NASA Administrator Janet Petro has announced several key leadership changes, effective immediately. Vanessa Wyche will serve as the acting associate administrator for the agency, while Stephen Koerner will become the acting center director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Jackie Jester has been named associate administrator for the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Lori Glaze will lead the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate’s acting role.
Wyche, who previously served as director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, will act as chief operating officer overseeing 18,000 civil servant employees and a $25 billion annual budget. Petro praised Wyche’s exceptional leadership skills, saying she would help guide the workforce toward future opportunities.
Koerner, who previously oversaw strategic workforce planning at the Johnson center, will provide steady leadership in Houston. Jester, returning to NASA after working for Relativity Space, will focus on managing communication with Congress and advising agency leaders on legislative matters.
Catherine Koerner, who retired earlier this month, was instrumental in leading NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. Her legacy includes a deep understanding of human spaceflight, while Glaze brings expertise in planetary science to her new role. The leadership changes demonstrate NASA’s commitment to excellence and confidence in the new leaders’ ability to carry forward the agency’s vision.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-names-acting-associate-administrator-more-leadership-changes