Robert Lightfoot Will Serve As Acting Director For Now
David King, director of NASA's
Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL is retiring from the
agency to accept a position as executive vice president of Dynetics
in Huntsville, effective immediately. Robert M. Lightfoot,
Marshall's deputy center director, will serve as acting director
until a successor is named.
King has been the center director at Marshall since June 2003.
His departure ends a 25-year career with NASA that began in 1983 at
NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where he served as director
of space shuttle processing and shuttle launch director.
"David's expertise and dedication will be sorely missed, not
only at Marshall, but across the entire agency," NASA Acting
Administrator Chris Scolese said. "As sad as we are to see him
leave, we wish him the very best in all of his future
endeavors."
King described his decision to leave NASA as one of the toughest
of his professional career. "The opportunities NASA has given me
are something most people only dream about," King said. "It was a
privilege to work with some of the smartest people in the world for
25 years. I will miss them greatly."
King's acting successor, Lightfoot, has served as Marshall's
deputy director since May 2007. A native of Montevallo, AL, he has
shared responsibility for managing Marshall, one of NASA's largest
field centers. The center has more than 8,400 civil service and
contract employees performing a wide scope of propulsion,
scientific and space transportation activities.
"Robert's experience and leadership skills are exactly what we
need to lead Marshall at this critical time," Scolese said. "I'm
certain he will do a terrific job in this role as he has in all of
his previous positions at NASA."
From 2005 to 2007, Lightfoot served as manager of the Space
Shuttle Propulsion Office at Marshall, leading the organization
with responsibility for the manufacture, assembly and operation of
the primary shuttle propulsion elements: the main engines, external
fuel tank, solid rocket boosters and reusable solid rocket motors.
For the two years prior to that, Lightfoot was assistant associate
administrator for the Space Shuttle Program in the Office of Space
Operations at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
"Robert is a tremendous leader and one of NASA's best," King
said. "I leave with full confidence that Marshall will be in great
hands."