Who I Am
The Research and Development (R & D) Services Directorate is a new organization at Ames that combines wind tunnel operations, research facility engineering and construction, and model and instrument manufacturing. Previously these functions were managed in different directorates. My job primarily involves directing the wind tunnel operations. There are three major national wind tunnel complexes at Ames, and each involves many skilled people, very large amounts of electrical power, a lot of high pressure and high speed air, and the need to run as quickly as possible while still maintaining safety and data accuracy. Every aircraft built in the United States has been tested in these wind tunnels, and despite the increased use of computers to predict aircraft aerodynamics forces during the design process, the wind tunnel continues to be critical to the development of the aircraft that actually get built and fly.

My Career Path
My long-time career interest was oceanography, and when I began college I intended to become an ocean engineer. I attended Virginia Tech, where the department combined aerospace and ocean engineering. I ultimately took many more classes dealing with aircraft than with oceanography, and found myself graduating as an aerospace engineer.

My first job was with the one of the Navy's research laboratories. I was responsible for developing the design methods and analyses for advanced seaplane-type aircraft. Later, I was assigned to NASA Ames for a year to help investigate new concepts for vertical takeoff aircraft. Fortunately for me, NASA was interested in having me stay and I've been at Ames ever since! About ten years after joining NASA, I became the Chief of the Systems Analysis Branch, which is responsible for investigating aircraft designs and developing faster computer methods for aircraft designers. It was really the best job an engineer could have. Six years later, I became Associate Director of Aeronautics, and most recently Deputy Director.

What I Like About My Job
The best part of working for the federal government is performing research for our country that has the opportunity to make a big difference. Leading such a large organization as Aeronautics has lots of these opportunities. And it's great working with such a dedicated team of very smart people having a tremendous diversity in their technical expertise - from aerodynamicists to computer scientists to research psychologists, as well as astrophysicists, astrobiologists, and astronomers in other parts of the Center. Also, I like being associated with the most advanced aerospace technology in the world. We have the ability to pursue new and innovative technologies starting from the ground floor, often that won't be flying for the next 15 to 20 years (if ever).

The only down side to that is that our products more frequently are knowledge, data, and computer programs, rather than aircraft or other hardware. Also, I am constantly being challenged to find ways to get the best research done, and in maintaining continuity in our research programs, with fewer and fewer people and dollars, although this is is really no different than what most other managers must face in their organizations.

The Early Years
I was always interested in science and was pretty good at it, and I could get through the math. I think it was Mrs. Abromowitz, my fourth grade teacher, who made me an avid reader by forcing us to read a book a week. Experiences like that can really have a lasting effect. My favorite book series was Tom Swift. I was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout. I always loved building things with blocks, Lincoln Logs, Legos, Erector Sets, and every other type of building set. I also enjoyed sports, particularly football and baseball.

Advice
My advice to young people, or really anyone for that matter, is that you don't necessarily need to be the smartest or the most gifted to succeed - you just have to work very hard to be able to achieve your potential. I've judged candidates for several scholarships over the years, and have interview some very bright kids. As a result, I have a certain perspective, broader than my own experience. Hard work always beats intellect without the hard work.

Future Goals
I have no plans to leave NASA any sooner than I have to, and in that time, I intend to continue to strive to strengthen both Ames Research Center and NASA. I expect to evolve some of our current research programs into some new areas. But change is both inevitable and good. We will probably continue to see change in some things we do over the years, but I am hopeful it will always be for the best.