NASA Administrator Michael Griffin announced the appointment of David R. Mould as the new assistant administrator for the Office of Public Affairs at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Mould is a senior communications executive and a former journalist.
“David is a seasoned manager with impressive credentials as a corporate communicator and a respected news manager,” said Griffin. “David has covered the Space Shuttle program as a reporter and has led strategic communications at a number of major corporations. That insight and experience is valuable to NASA’s ongoing communications efforts.”
As the Assistant Administrator, Mould is the senior NASA official for public affairs, responsible for planning, developing, and providing oversight for agency-wide communications activities. He also advises the NASA Administrator and senior agency managers; directs a Headquarters staff of more than 50 people, with nearly 300 nationwide.
He sets the editorial tone for public and internal news releases and directs other important outreach programs involving exhibits, speakers, public tours and visitors centers, fine arts, public ceremonies and special events.
“I’m excited about this opportunity,” Mould added. “NASA has a legacy of effective and open communications. I’m looking forward to helping advance this agency’s important mission of exploration and discovery.”
Before joining NASA, Mould served as special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, focusing on strategic communications policies in the Office of the Secretary.
Prior to entering government service, he worked as a principal and director of Washington operations for Griswold-Lesser, an Atlanta-based public affairs firm, and as vice president of communications for PG&E National Energy Group, a wholesale electricity and natural gas supplier affiliated with PG&E Corp. of San Francisco.
He also has served as director of public relations for Mirant Corp., an electricity and natural gas supplier based in Atlanta, and as media relations manager for Southern Company of Atlanta, one of the nation’s largest holding companies for electric utilities.
Mould also worked as a reporter and editor for the United Press International news agency, serving in a number of positions including managing editor for the Southern United States, foreign and national news editor, Middle East correspondent, and as a space reporter covering more than 20 shuttle missions, including the 1986 Challenger accident.
He holds master’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
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