Edward A. Frankle, NASA’s General Counsel for the past
13 years, announced plans to retire after a distinguished
career, effective December 28. No successor has been
selected.
Frankle, who was appointed to the position as the Agency’s
chief legal officer in July 1988, said it is time to leave
the Federal Government and enter the private sector.
“Despite my current job satisfaction and belief that I am
still contributing to the NASA mission, the time has come to
strike out on my own,” Frankle said in his retirement notice
to NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin. “I am proud of each
and every member of the NASA legal family and am confident
that it is well positioned to transition smoothly to new
leadership.”
As General Counsel, Frankle is responsible for the legal
aspects of all NASA’s activities, providing direct legal
support to the NASA Administrator and senior management. He
also manages the Agency’s intellectual property and ethics
programs and directing a staff of attorneys. Frankle also
provides legal guidance and support to the legal staff at
NASA’s field centers.
“I want to express my appreciation for Ed’s service to
America’s space program. He’s an outstanding lawyer, and his
guidance and thoughtful approach will be missed,” said
Administrator Goldin. “He’s a real leader and a tenacious and
highly effective defender of the Agency and its programs, and
has created a comprehensive legal infrastructure that is
strong, well equipped and positioned for the future.”
Before his current appointment, Frankle served as NASA’s
Deputy General Counsel. He first joined the Agency in 1982,
where he held the position of Chief Counsel at NASA’s Goddard
Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Before joining NASA, Frankle served as the Associate
Director, Policy development and Administrative Legal Systems
for the Selective Service System. From 1974 to 1988, he was a
member of the Office of General Counsel for the Navy. From
1968 to 1974, Frankle, who has a bachelor’s degree and a
master’s degree in aerospace engineering, worked as an
engineer with the Navy.
Since joining NASA, Frankle was awarded the Presidential Rank
of Meritorious Executive in 1988 and 2001, the NASA
Exceptional Service Medal in 1989, the Presidential Rank of
Distinguished Executive in 1992, the NASA Exceptional
Achievement Medal in 1994, and the NASA Distinguished Service
Medal in 1993 and 2001.
Additional information about the Office of General Counsel is
available on the Internet at:
