WASHINGTON — NASA has named Arthur E. (Gene) Goldman as the new director of NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
The promotion of Goldman, the center’s deputy director since October 2006, is effective immediately. He replaces Bob Cabana, who left in October to become the director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
“Gene is a terrific manager and a highly respected engineer, with broad experience in rocket propulsion system development and engine testing,” NASA Administrator Michael Griffin said. “I’m very pleased that he is available to head the team at Stennis, and I am confident he will continue to provide outstanding leadership there.”
Stennis’ facility in southwest Mississippi is NASA’s primary testing ground for rocket engines and propulsion systems. Goldman brings a wealth of experience in that area to his new job. He served as manager of the space shuttle main engine project at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., from March 2004 until he departed for Stennis in 2006. He was the project’s deputy manager for six years before ascending to the top job.
“I’m honored to be selected to lead the great NASA team at the Stennis Space Center,” Goldman said. “We have a lot of exciting and challenging work ahead of us at a pivotal time in NASA’s history. I’m eager to continue this work in my new role.”
A native of Russell, Miss., Goldman worked as a project engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from 1978-1981. He left for a position at Gulf States Utilities in Baton Rouge, La., from 1981 to 1987, before returning to TVA, in Athens, Ala., from 1987 to 1990.
He started his NASA career in 1990 at Marshall as a project engineer for the space shuttle systems integration office and served as supervisor of that organization from 1992-1994.
Goldman moved to the space shuttle main engine project in 1994, supporting it as manufacturing engineer until 1996. He later worked in the project as technical assistant from 1996-1997 and as business manager from 1997-1998.
Goldman was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in March 2004. He has received many professional awards, including NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal and the Marshall Center’s Director’s Commendation. Goldman earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University and is a registered professional civil engineer. He also completed the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard University.
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