Speakers

Justin Ausanka is the Senior Project Manager for Construction of Facilities, currently on a long-term detail to Spaceport Integration as a Technical Integration Manager attempting to bridge the development and operations world for more effective Spaceport growth.

 After graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Engineering Physics just after the Columbia tragedy, I worked in private industry in the design-build world developing and constructing energy-efficiency, process cooling, and HVAC solutions back home in New England.  After completing a design-build facility for a Black-Box program for NASA through United Technologies, they asked me to come work for them to do more of the same in the Space Industry as they evolved and grew to support the Constellation Program and commercial space. Believe it or not, a chance encounter over a poker game in a foreign country actually led me to my opportunity at NASA as a Project Management contractor at KSC as NASA shifted gears away from Constellation and more into the multi-user Spaceport model prior to Artemis.  I moved on to become a Civil Servant in the design and construction world about ten years ago.  Since then, I have had the opportunity to support and lead a wide array of facilities construction projects, including some of my favorite project for the Launch Services Program (LSP).  Since these projects are often bounded by actual planetary physics constraints for launch dates, there is much more emphasis on immediate problem-solving, procurement creativity, team dynamics, and field authority granted to make the tough decisions that often paralyze larger projects with less tangible schedule goals and more constrained budgets. 

Julie Bassler is the Director of the Science and Technology Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center since January 2024. 

Julie has 34 years of experience leading numerous NASA programs and projects across several NASA Centers in the areas of human space flight, robotic missions, science payloads, and technology developments. She currently leads MSFC's work in data science, space nuclear propulsion, cryogenic fluid management, and the award-winning operational Chandra and Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer missions. She also oversees major agency programs for Planetary Missions, Technology Demonstration Missions, and the scientific research in astrophysics, heliophysics, Earth science, planetary science and biological science.  

In 2018, she was selected to serve as the Senior Executive Service (SES) manager for the Stages Office of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) Program at Marshall. She led the SLS core stage team through the design, development, test, and successful inaugural launch of the 212-foot core stage on the Artemis 1 mission.  

Her honors include a Meritorious Presidential Rank award, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, Exceptional Achievement Medal, Space Flight Awareness award, Silver Achievement Medal, a Redstone Leadership Women Rocks award, and numerous other individual and group achievement awards. 

A native of Breese, Illinois, Bassler received a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Parks College of St. Louis University in Cahokia, Illinois, and a master’s in space science from the University of Houston in Clear Lake, Texas.  She resides in New Market, AL with her husband and enjoys boating with their four children and one grandchild. 

Greg Brenner is Acting Deputy Director of the NASA Partnership Office within the Mission Support Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he has provided agencywide policy and procedural and technical guidance, operational support, advocacy, and training for NASA’s domestic unclassified partnerships function for over 20 years.  In addition, Greg facilitates the formulation and management of NASA’s diverse partnerships portfolio, which includes domestic, unclassified partnership agreements across all NASA centers and Mission Directorates. 

Mr. Shahab Chaudhry is leading PPE Project since May 2022 where he is responsible for a cross-agency team of over 175 personnel and the management/ technical oversight of PPE development and its integration with Habitation and Logistics Outpost.  Previously, Mr. Chaudhry was R&D Manager at Navy's Strategic Systems Programs where he was responsible for overall program management and coordination of Research Development Test and Engineering programs in support of future Sea Based Strategic Deterrence system capabilities. Shahab also served as Head of the Propulsion, Ordnance, and Explosive Safety for SSP.  In this capacity, Shahab was responsible for the design, development, production, deployed system support, aging, systems/explosive safety, and disposal technologies for propulsion, boost propulsion, controls, and ordnance sub-systems of Trident II D5 nuclear missile. Shahab holds Bachelors and Masters degree in Chemical Engineering from CCNY, an MBA from American University, and a graduate certificate in public administration from AU.  Shahab is recipient of Navy Superior Civilian Service Award and NASA's Project and Program Management leadership excellence awards. He holds DoD certifications in Program Management, and Systems, Planning, Research and Development Engineering.  He also holds FAC Level IV Certification for Program and Project Managers. 

Kevin Gilligan is the Strategic Initiatives Manager for the Chief Program Management Officer (CPMO) in NASA’s Office of the Administrator. Kevin is involved in efforts to strengthen independent assessment, advance the state of PM and acquisition management, improve programmatic outcomes, and communicate progress and challenges with key NASA external stakeholders. Prior to joining CPMO in 2022, Kevin worked in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer’s Strategic Investments Division (SID) at NASA Headquarters for 11 years, leading NASA’s interface with the GAO High Risk and Quick Look engagements and serving as an advisor to the CFO and SID Director on various mission directorate portfolios. Kevin began his career at the Goddard Space Flight Center as a Presidential Management Fellow in 2010. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Kevin is based in the District of Columbia where he lives with his wife and son and is also involved in his local community, serving as a publicly elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. 

Shae Glassco is a Lean Portfolio Manager and Strategic Planner supporting Applications and Platform Services (APS) within NASA's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). With a background from NASA's Science and Technology Office (STO), she specializes in transforming complex governance frameworks into actionable strategic initiatives that drive mission success. Her expertise encompasses agile methodologies, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) implementation, and stakeholder-focused process improvements that enhance organizational efficiency. As a thought leader in lean portfolio management, she leverages her Sociology background to integrate organizational behavior principles with technical excellence.  

Jason Hair is currently supporting the Chief Program Management Office at NASA Headquarters. In his 28-year career, Jason has led multiple space flight hardware developments. Most recently, he was the Project Manager for the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS), developing a system to make new measurements of aerosols, clouds, convection and precipitation with multiple NASA Center (GSFC, JPL, and LaRC), industry, and international (JAXA, CNES, CSA) partnerships. Prior to AOS, he served as the Geostationary and Extended Observations (GeoXO) Flight Project Manager to initiate concept development, study contracts, and technology development for the next generation of observational weather satellites to complete Mission Concept Review and prepare for major contract releases on the path to System Requirements Review.  He transitioned to become a project manager in 2009, leading the in-house development teams at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the OSIRIS-REx Visible and near-Infrared Spectrometer (OVIRS) flying on the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer – 2 (TIRS-2), a large, Earth science instrument, to deliver these complex space flight systems ahead of schedule and under budget.

Justin Hornback is currently on detail as a Program Executive within the Chief Program Management Officer team.  When not on detail, Justin is the Deputy Program Manager for Program Planning and Control within the Earth System Science Pathfinder Program.  

Justin has leveraged his skills as a programmatic policy expert and analyst to contribute to NASA. He focuses on developing and applying advanced analytical methods, particularly in cost, schedule, and risk management, to empower NASA leaders with informed decision-making and increase the likelihood of mission success.  

Justin holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the College of William and Mary. 

Mr. Charles Hunt is currently a Senior Technical Leader for Programmatic Analysis for the NASA Headquarters, Strategic Insights and Budget Organization within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. His current responsibilities include establishing and maintaining NASA cost estimating and schedule management policy, conducting and funding cost and schedule research, providing tools and models to the broader NASA cost and schedule community, and coordinating programmatic support for Agency Independent Review Teams. Mr. Hunt joined NASA Headquarters in 2007.  He began his career as a cost analyst for the Engineering Cost Office at Marshall Space Flight Center performing numerous cost estimates in support of projects, studies, and Agency level analysis. 

Mr. Hunt is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering and of The Johns Hopkins University with a Masters of Art in Applied Economics. 

Justin Jackson, currently serving as Deputy Manager of the Partnerships and Opportunity Development Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. In this role, Mr. Jackson leads the development and execution of strategic partnerships that advanced NASA’s mission across science, exploration, and technology.  With a technical background in advanced materials, structures, and manufacturing, Mr. Jackson brings a unique blend of technical depth and strategic leadership to NASA’s evolving mission and partnership needs.

Jeremy Kenny is Manager of the Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM) Program Office at MSFC. As a level 2 office, TDM is the largest program under NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. TDM manages a large and diverse portfolio of flight and ground tech demo projects led by both NASA Centers across the agency and industry partners. These breakthrough technologies are ultimately infused and delivered into the mission needs for NASA and its government and commercial partners. Before coming to TDM, he was the Cryo-Fluids Management Portfolio Project (CFMPP) project manager.  Prior to working in CFMPP, Jeremy worked in the HLS Program as the HLS Technical Manager for the Blue Origin / Appendix H contract.    

Jeremy spent ten years working in the Propulsion Fluid Dynamics Branch before taking on the role of Chief of the MSFC Propulsion Thermal Branch in 2018. During his time in the MSFC Propulsion organization, Jeremy was involved in a variety of projects, including leading the definition and validation test programs for the SLS design liftoff environment, serving as the lead systems engineer for nuclear thermal propulsion engine design work, and supporting the Space Shuttle Program's solid rocket booster flight reconstructions per mission. He also served as the MSFC lead for a joint Air Force / NASA combustion stability modeling development and demonstration program for Oxygen Rich Staged Combustion engines.   

Jeremy received his Doctorate in mechanical engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2008, his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 2004, and his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2002. 

Amit Kshatriya was named the associate administrator by acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy on Sept. 3, 2025. In this role, he serves as the highest-ranking civil servant at the agency, and as a senior advisor to Duffy. Kshatriya leads the agency’s 10 center directors, as well as the mission directorate associate administrators at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He also acts as the agency’s chief operating officer.  

Kshatriya previously served as the deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program in the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) at NASA Headquarters in Washington. In that role, Kshatriya was responsible for program planning and implementation for human missions to the Moon and Mars. He directed and led the programs to ensure Artemis and Mars planning, development, and operations were consistent with ESDMD requirements, and served as the single point of focus for risk management.  

Prior to his ESDMD role, Kshatriya served as the acting deputy associate administrator for the Common Exploration Systems Development Division where he directed and provided leadership and integration for the Space Launch System, Orion, and Exploration Ground Systems Programs, as well as associated Artemis Campaign Development Division initiatives linking the agency’s Moon to Mars objectives.  

Beginning his time at the space agency in 2003, he has worked as a software engineer, robotics engineer, and spacecraft operator primarily focused on the robotic assembly of the International Space Station. From 2014 to 2017, he served as a space station flight director, where he led global teams in the operations and execution of the space station during all phases of flight. From 2017 to 2021, he became deputy, and then acting manager, of the ISS Vehicle Office, where he was responsible for sustaining engineering, logistics, and hardware program management. In 2021, he was assigned to NASA Headquarters as an assistant deputy associate administrator for ESDMD, where he was an integral part of the team that returned a spacecraft designed to carry humans to the Moon during the Artemis I mission.  

Kshatriya holds a bachelor of science in mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, and a master of arts in mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin. He was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, but considers Katy, Texas, to be his hometown. He and his wife are the proud parents of three children, and he is also the proud son of first-generation Indian immigrants to the United States.  

Decorated with the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for actions as the lead flight director for the 50th expedition to the space station, Kshatriya also is the recipient of a Silver Snoopy, an award astronauts bestow for outstanding performance contributing to flight safety, for his actions as lead robotics officer for the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Dragon demonstration mission to the orbiting laboratory. 

Michael J. Lipka is currently on detail to the Office of the Chief Engineer as a Program Specialist. In this role, he analyzes learning and development initiatives across NASA Centers and partners to identify opportunities for improvement and alignment. Michael supports strategic assessments for APPEL Knowledge Services, helping to optimize the use of existing resources and enhance project outcomes. He also collaborates with APPEL leadership and contractors to deliver impactful workshops and special events that promote learning and knowledge sharing among NASA’s program, project, and engineering communities.

Prior to this role, Michael served in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance in the NASA Safety Center. He has led the knowledge management efforts via the implementation of technical webinars and knowledge sharing events. He has also served as a Learning Program Manager, developing and implementing a two-year professional development cohort program for mid- to senior level staff.

As the deputy director of Center Planning and Development (CPD) at NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Robyn Mitchell leads development and modification of agreements with public and private entities for use of center land, facilities, capabilities, services, equipment, and technologies. She serves as an advisor to other program initiatives, including facility siting, assessment of infrastructure capacity issues, impacts of future growth on center, and other issues as related to the implementation of the Kennedy Master Plan. 

Mitchell helps coordinate economic development and related planning activities with local, regional, and state organizations, neighboring federal and local government jurisdictions, and NASA stakeholders, while also coordinating the development, integration, and collaboration of the multi-user spaceport vision within Kennedy, with NASA Headquarters, and with space industry partners and other government entities. The center director also appointed Mitchell to serve as a center agreement manager, and she is considered a subject matter expert responsible for understanding the center’s partnership commitments and how they align with the center’s multi-user spaceport strategy and philosophy. 

From 2018 to 2021, Mitchell was chief of CPD’s Partnership Development Office, leading the management of partnerships with commercial and other governmental entities using Kennedy facilities and personnel. She provided expert guidance in support of industry solicitations including Requests for Information, Announcements for Proposals, and Notices of Availability, while also leading policy and strategic planning to promote and enable partner use of Kennedy facilities, land, and personnel resources integral to multi-user spaceport use, growth, and expansion. 

Beginning in 2010, Mitchell served as a partnership development manager at Kennedy, responsible for drafting and developing high-value agreements for commercial or other federal agency use of surplus facilities and services. In 2014, she also was nominated and selected as assistant to Kennedy’s deputy director. In 2015, she joined the Customer Services Branch of Kennedy’s Spaceport Integration and Services Directorate, providing leadership for the execution and implementation of Commercial Space Launch Act agreements, Reimbursable Space Act agreements, Real Property agreements, and the Kennedy Space Center Master Plan. 

Mitchell first came to Kennedy in 2005 through the Resident Management Office, via NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, as an aerospace engineer supporting the Defense Contract Management Agency’s NASA Product Operations Office at the spaceport. She provided engineering and technical support essential for government insight for safety and mission assurance on the space shuttle solid rocket booster project. In 2007, she moved to the Vehicle Systems Department within the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, assessing the safety, quality, and reliability of NASA flight vehicles, specifically the space shuttle boosters. 

Mitchell received a Bachelor of Science in engineering physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, and a Master of Science in space systems from Florida Institute of Technology. 

During her time with NASA, Mitchell has received several awards, including two Kennedy Space Center Group Achievement Awards, two Marshall Space Flight Center Group Achievement Awards, and a Johnson Space Center Group Achievement Award. 

When not at work, Mitchell makes her home in nearby Merritt Island, Florida, and enjoys participating in the arts, particularly acrylic painting. She also lives by her personal motto: “Plan for the future, but live like there is no tomorrow.” 

Mr. Anthony Nerone is currently on detail to the Chief Program Management Officer at NASA HQ leading the development of the NASA PM Network. Previously, he served as the Project Manager for the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) Project within the Advanced Air Vehicles Program (AAVP). Mr. Nerone led the formulation and implementation of HyTEC which is developing single-aisle aircraft engine technologies that will be the basis for future efficient aircraft engines in the next decade. Prior to that, he served as the Subproject Manager for two Subprojects under the Advanced Air Transport Technology (AATT) Project covering various technology development efforts such as aircraft icing, acoustics research, and other propulsion technologies. His past experience includes providing Systems Engineering on the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project and contributing to numerous wind tunnel and other aeronautics efforts at GRC. Most of his career as a mechanical engineer was spent working turbomachinery design and his technical background includes mechanical design and analysis of rotating hardware. He has supported both Space and Aeronautics projects in various engineering roles. Mr. Nerone earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cleveland State University and a Master’s of Engineering and Management from Case Western Reserve University. He joined NASA as a cooperative education student in 1999, spending his entire career to date with the agency. 

Daniel O’Neil serves as Marshall Space Flight Center’s Center Agreement Manager.  

He has been a civil servant for 35 years. 

In 2019, he received a doctorate in computer modeling and simulation. 

Ian Park is the Acting Lead Contracting Officer at NASA’s Glenn Research Center Office of Procurement, bringing over a decade of federal acquisition experience and a strong foundation in both research and institutional services contracting. Since joining NASA in 2017, Ian has played a critical role in supporting high-impact space projects under Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) and the Thermal Energy Conversion group, and various initiatives within the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), including Model-Based Systems Analysis and Engineering (MBSA&E) for the Sustainable Flight National Partnership (SFNP) and the Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project. His portfolio also includes institutional contracts for facility management and maintenance, demonstrating his versatility negotiating experience across mission and operational support. 

Ian has been instrumental in developing center-level NASA Research Announcements (NRAs) and advancing acquisition streamlining initiatives, helping to shape more agile and effective procurement strategies. Over the course of his career, he has successfully negotiated contracts totaling more than $300 million in value and was served as a member of NASA’s Acquisition Innovation Launchpad (NAIL) in 2024. 

Prior to his NASA tenure, Ian served four years on active duty and six years in the military reserves, bringing a disciplined, mission-focused approach to his federal service. He holds a bachelor’s degree in supply chain & information systems and a master’s degree in Data Analytics, both from the Pennsylvania State University. Outside of NASA, Ian serves as an adjunct faculty member at Lorain County Community College, where he teaches courses in data analytics. 

Dr. Wanda Peters has extensive professional experience working for the federal government and private industry. She has over 35 years of scientific, engineering, and programmatic experience, including approximately 25 years in leadership roles. Throughout her professional career, she has had the privilege of serving in numerous positions that utilized her leadership skills to lead high-performing teams and direct strategic initiatives. Dr. Peters is a member of the Senior Executive Service of the United States of America. 

Presently, Dr. Peters serves as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters. She is responsible for overseeing and assessing SMD’s multi-billion dollar portfolio of over 100 missions. Previously, she served as the Deputy Director for Planning and Business Management in the Flight Projects Directorate (FPD) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, responsible for strategic planning, policy development, personnel management, and programmatic oversight of the FPD portfolio consisting of approximately 80 missions. 

Prior to joining the NASA family, Dr. Peters worked at the Naval Research Laboratory as a research scientist. She started her career at NASA in January 1990 as a support contractor and converted into the government in 2005. At NASA, Dr. Peters has worked at the directorate, division, and branch levels, gaining valuable experience in the areas of program, project and business management, institutional operations, mechanical systems engineering, space technology development, and safety and mission assurance. She is a graduate and Senior Executive Fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Peters received both a Ph.D. in systems engineering and a Master’s degree in engineering management from George Washington University, a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. She is married and has two daughters. 

Mauricio Rivas is currently acting as the deputy director for the Programs and Projects Directorate at AFRC. In his current position, he shares supervisory leadership with the director and has been working on improvements to the Center’s portfolio management.   

Prior to taking on supervisory roles, Mauricio was the Project Manager for the Unmanned Aircraft System Integration in the National Airspace System (UAS-NAS) Project, bringing the project through its final phases. Closeout activity involved the transfer of data, analyses, and technical reports developed by NASA and its partners over the almost ten years of the project’s duration. The UAS-NAS Project successfully informed the development of minimum operational performance standards (MOPS) addressing areas critical to enable UAS operation in the NAS. Mauricio supported the UAS-NAS Project earlier as the Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E) Subproject Manager. In that position he was responsible for integrating simulation and flight tests in support of UAS-NAS.\  

Earlier, Mauricio was the Project Manager for the Ikhana UAS, a civilian MQ-9 Predator B used for science missions, aeronautics research and technology development with other government agencies and industry. Between 2014 and 2017 the Ikhana was the primary test bed for the UAS-NAS Project. Among its many “firsts,” Ikhana concluded operations by being the first UAS to obtain a no-chase Certificate of Waiver Authorization (COA) from the FAA and successfully demonstrate safe operations in the NAS without a safety chase. 

David Salvagnini serves as the Chief Data Officer (CDO) and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) at NASA. Since joining the agency in June 2023 and taking on the CAIO role in May 2024, he has worked to align NASA’s AI strategy with its broader data governance initiatives to ensure responsible and transparent development and risk management in these critical fields. In his expanded capacity, he leads NASA’s continued collaboration with other government agencies, academic institutions, industry partners, and experts to ensure the agency remains at the forefront of AI technology. 

David formerly served as the Director of the Intelligence Community Chief Information Officer (IC CIO) Architecture and Integration Group (AIG) and Chief Architect. In these roles, he worked with Intelligence Community elements and 5-Eye Enterprise (5EEE) international partners on the development and implementation of reference architectures for interoperability, data sharing and technical advancement of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, data services, foundational AI services, and other mission capabilities. 

Before joining the IC CIO, Mr. Salvagnini held a variety of positions at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), to include Chief Information Office (CIO) Technical Director, Chief Data Officer, and Deputy Chief of the Enterprise Cyber and Infrastructure Services Division. In these roles, David supported the deployment of AI capabilities and the development of analytic tradecraft related to AI use as part of intelligence production. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service as the Senior Technical Officer for Enterprise IT and Cyber Operations at DIA in June 2016. 

Mr. Salvagnini joined DIA as a civil servant in May 2005. Prior to his selection as a senior executive, he served on a joint duty assignment as the Chief Architect for the IC Desktop Environment (IC DTE). In that position, he was responsible for DIA and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) adoption of DTE services, and the transitioning of over 57,000 personnel to the IC Information Technology Enterprise (IC ITE). Previously, Mr. Salvagnini held numerous key leadership positions, to include Deputy Chief, Infrastructure Integration; Deputy Chief, Applications Operations; and Acting Chief, Infrastructure Innovation Division. Mr. Salvagnini’s experience includes all aspects of enterprise IT service delivery, including research, engineering, testing, security, and operations.  

Mr. Salvagnini retired from the Air Force as a Communications and Computer Systems Officer in May 2005 after having served in a variety of leadership assignments during his 21-year career. 

He is a native of Setauket, New York and resides with his family in Falls Church, Virginia. 

George Santosuosso is NASA Glenn Research Center’s Chief Knowledge Officer. His goal is to help Glenn’s workforce to make the most of the knowledge generated here at the Center through activities and insights that benefit and support the work that we do in support of the NASA mission. George started his NASA career in 2000 after graduating from John Carroll University. Initially he was an optical engineer developing non-contact measurement techniques primarily supporting microgravity combustion and fluids science. In 2010 he was accepted in the Systems Engineering Leadership Development Program where he worked on the Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer Project at the Ames Research Center. In recent years George has served as the Lead Systems Engineer on a wide range of projects including the Radioisotope Power Systems Program, the Saffire series of flight experiments, the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment flight experiment, and more. George has also supported the Rocket University development program as a Subject Matter Expert and Mentor and plans to expand that relationship through his work in knowledge management and as CKO. 

George is a Cleveland native and currently lives in Medina with his wife and two children. In his free time George enjoys hiking, woodworking, cycling and keeping up with the kids. George is available to work with you on questions of knowledge capture and knowledge sharing. You can reach him via MS Teams and other typical NASA channels. 

Dr. Jackelynne Silva-Martinez is NASA’s Agile Community of Practice founder. She is an Aerospace Systems Engineer by training, and Human Systems Integration subject matter expert. She holds certifications as Agile Coach, Scrum Master, Agile Product Manager, Agile Product Owner, and Agile Facilitator. She is currently serving as SpaceX Starbase Resident Office Lead for the Human Landing System Program in support of Artemis III, and as Artemis Mission Management Team Support Console Integrator for the Moon to Mars Program in support of Artemis II. 

Dr. Mary R. Coan Skow, Ph.D., is the Agency Risk Management Officer. In this role, which she helped formulate and establish, Dr. Skow integrates risks from various boards and forums to achieve perspective on top enterprise risks. 

Additionally, she champions risk leadership initiatives through the facilitation of risk communication and clarifies risk posture. Dr. Skow also develops and implements best practices to integrate Enterprise Risk Management processes into day-to-day operations and decision-making, while investigating and developing methods to create and manage top risks for the agency. 

Prior to her current position, Dr. Skow served as the strategis evaluation program manager for the Chief Program Management Officer at NASA Headquarters, where she excelled at motivating diverse teams and initiating strategic initiatives. She previously held the role of portfolio analyst and Headquarters of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, where she was responsible for understanding and working with the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate for the Human Landing System, Gateway and Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students (SUITS). 

Dr. Skow began her career at NASA as a graduate student in the co-op program at Kennedy Space Center working on In-Situ Resource Utilization. Following her co-op, she became a project manager at NASA Johnson Space Center for Environmental Control Life Support Systems. 

Dr. Skow graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. She received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering with a focus in microelectronics from Texas A&M University. Dr. Skow actively participates in outreach programs, mentoring underprivileged children and college students and promoting NASA's mission to the next generation of scientists and engineers. 

As NASA’s Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) and Director of the Academy of Program/Project & Engineering Leadership (APPEL), Tiffany Smith leads efforts to ensure that the agency’s technical workforce has access to the critical knowledge needed for mission success.  Ms. Smith is responsible for managing NASA’s APPEL Knowledge Services learning and development program, providing strategic communications and continuous learning to project management and systems engineering personnel, and overseeing knowledge services across the agency in collaboration with the Center and Mission Directorate knowledge community. 

Ms. Smith’s research and professional experience is centered in knowledge management, digital collaboration, and social epistemology.  She previously served as the CKO for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD).  Prior to joining NASA, Ms. Smith served with the U.S. Department of State in various roles and performed detail assignments with the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration.  She began her federal government career with the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.  Ms. Smith earned a B.A. from Fordham University, M.S. in Library and Information Science from the Catholic University of America, and M.S. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech. 

Sam Thurman has been with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 38 years. He currently serves as Manager of the Project Support Office in the Office of the Director, overseeing JPL’s policies and practices for flight projects and other institutional functions. He previously served as a Program Area Manager in JPL’s Solar System Exploration Directorate between 2016 and 2020, including a stint as the pre-project manager for NASA’s Europa Lander study. Between 2008 to 2016 he served as Deputy Project Manager for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, a NASA Earth remote sensing mission for climate research. Prior to joining SMAP he was Deputy Manager of JPL’s Autonomous Systems Division, supporting NASA missions in the outer planets, Mars, and Earth science programs. Going back further, he spent ten years in the Mars Exploration Program, in several systems engineering and management positions across four different Mars missions. He has received NASA medals for Outstanding Public Leadership and Exceptional Achievement in prior flight project roles, as well as numerous Group Achievement awards.  

Eddie Zavala is director for Programs and Projects at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is responsible for the advocacy, formulation, and implementation of the center’s flight projects as well as policy and business management of the center's programs.  Prior to his current assignment, Zavala served in several leadership positions that include as the AFRC acting deputy center director, the ARC director of Center Operations, and the ARC acting director of Safety and Mission Assurance.  From 2012 to 2019, Zavala was program manager of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). Under his leadership, the program completed the development phase, implemented an improved cross-center organizational construct, became fully operational in May 2014, and completed the five-year prime mission. He oversaw the overall observatory operations (science and aircraft) at both NASA AFRC and ARC.  Zavala first came to NASA in 1989 as a cooperative education student at NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility. Zavala earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1991 from Texas A&M University. He holds the advanced/expert-level Office of Management and Budget Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers.  Zavala is a recipient of the 2011 and 2016 NASA Exceptional Achievement medal and the 2014 NASA Outstanding Leadership medal.