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NASA News  
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
 
John F. Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
AC 321 867-2468
_____________________________________________________________________
Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington                                June 26, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1898/1600)
 
Bruce Buckingham
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
(Phone: 321/867-2468)
 
RELEASE: 03-217
 

JAMES W. KENNEDY NAMED DIRECTOR, NASA KENNEDY SPACE CENTER          

William F. Readdy, Associate Administrator for Space Flight at NASA
Headquarters in Washington, today named James W. Kennedy as the new
Director of the agency's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.
Kennedy has served as KSC's Deputy Director since November 2002. He
will succeed General Roy Bridges, who was appointed to lead NASA's
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., June 13. 
 
"Along with his impeccable credentials, Jim brings stability to KSC
at a time when we need it," Readdy said making the announcement. "As
we prepare to implement the findings of the Columbia Accident
Investigation Board, Jim's knowledge of the Space Shuttle and his
leadership abilities are essential in making our 'Return to Flight'
effort a success," he said. 
 
Prior to his assignment to KSC in 2002, Kennedy was deputy director
of NASA's George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. 

Kennedy also served as project manager for major initiatives, such as
the X-34 and the DC-XA, and he led the One NASA effort to help make
the agency more effective and efficient by encouraging teamwork
across all field centers. In early 1996, he was the manager for
Marshall's Space Shuttle Projects Resident Office at KSC. Kennedy
returned to Marshall when he received a Senior Executive Service
appointment in September 1996 and was named manager of the Solid
Rocket Booster Project.
 
In 1998, he was selected as the Deputy Director of Science and
Engineering, where he was responsible for establishing and
maintaining a nationally recognized research and development
capability in space research and technology. One year later, he
became the Director of Engineering. 
 
"Jim is the right person we need at the helm of the Kennedy Space
Center, as we prepare to return to safe flight," added NASA
Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "He's a distinguished engineer and a
devoted public servant. I know his colleagues at KSC will give Jim
their full support, and I am confident, under his guidance, the
center will meet and exceed all the objectives facing us in the
coming months," O'Keefe said.

Kennedy first joined NASA in 1968 in the Aerospace Engineering
Cooperative Education program at KSC. He earned a bachelor's degree
in mechanical engineering from Auburn University, Ala., in 1972.
After being called to active duty in the U.S. Air Force, he earned
his master's degree in business administration from Georgia Southern
University, Statesboro, in 1977. 
 
Kennedy has received numerous awards during his NASA career,
including Marshall's Leadership Award, NASA's Silver Snoopy Award, a
Distinguished Service Medal and a Meritorious Rank Award. He also has
received a Group Achievement Award and several Special Service and
Performance Awards. In 2003, Kennedy received the National Space
Club's Astronautics Engineer of the Year Award.
 
For information about NASA and KSC on the Internet, visit:
 
http:// www.nasa.gov http://www.nasa.gov/> 
and 
www.ksc.nasa.gov http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/> 

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