What does it take to run a giant installation like NASA Johnson Space Center?
If there’s anyone who knows, it’s newly appointed director Mark Geyer. Serving in a variety of positions over his years of service to NASA, Geyer was recently deputy director of the institution. He’ll discuss his new job in our next Thought Leader Series at 7 p.m. Sept. 10.
JSC employs nearly 10,000 people and covers nearly 1,700 acres. It’s the home of NASA’s human spaceflight program and it’s where current astronauts work and train. ISS Mission Control is also here along with extensive testing facilities, a lunar vault with samples of moon rocks and assorted other cosmic samples. Geyer takes over JSC at a time when NASA will soon launch Commercial Crew Program (CCP) missions to the International Space Station and Exploration Systems Development missions to deep space. The center plays a critical role in the readiness for flight, flight certification, and operations of the CCP providers and for the Space Launch System and Orion.
 |
Geyer takes over for outgoing director Ellen Ochoa. Ochoa, a veteran astronaut, was JSC’s first Hispanic director, and its second female director. During Ochoa’s tenure, JSC witnessed a solar eclipse across America, a memorable Super Bowl in the city of Houston, a World Series win by Houston’s hometown team the Astros and endured one of the greatest natural disasters in American history – Hurricane Harvey. Her steadfast leadership ensured JSC was prepared for all that came its way.
Geyer’s career in public service has spanned 28 years and includes terms as manager of the Orion program, deputy program manager of the Constellation program, systems engineer and manager of the International Space Station office. Geyer also served in Washington, D.C. as part of the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.
Geyer has been recognized with NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal in 2000, the Space Flight Awareness Leadership Award in 2003, the NASA Commendation Award in 2011 and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal in 2015. He was also a nominee for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award in 2012.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear from JSC’s newest leader!
