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Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington           May 9, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1898/1600)

RELEASE: 03-164

NASA SELECTS NEW SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM MANAGER

     NASA today announced the selection of William (Bill) W. 
Parsons as the new manager for the Space Shuttle Program. 
Parsons, the director of the NASA John C. Stennis Space 
Center (SSC) in south Mississippi, succeeds Ronald D. 
Dittemore, who announced his resignation April 23.

"Bill is a talented leader, motivator, and he's deeply 
devoted to the success of the Space Shuttle program," said 
William F. Readdy, Associate Administrator of Space Flight 
at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "His management, 
technical experience, and dedication to safety are vital as 
we move forward and prepare to start flying again."

Parsons has served as Center Director since August 2002. He 
was first assigned to SSC in 1997 as the Chief of Operations 
of the Propulsion Test Directorate. Parsons relocated to 
NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston to become the 
Director of the Center Operations Directorate, and he later 
served as the Deputy Director of JSC. He returned to SSC in 
2001, and he served as Director of the Center Operations and 
Support Directorate.

"I welcome the opportunity to work with Bill. He knows the 
space flight family and he knows the Space Shuttle program," 
said Michael C. Kostelnik, Deputy Administrator for the 
International Space Station and Space Shuttle programs at 
Headquarters in Washington. "NASA is about the people who 
fly, fix, maintain and design our vehicles, and I know we've 
found a terrific leader to help guide the team through this 
difficult time."

"This is a critical position for the agency as we begin to 
focus our Return to Flight efforts in the wake of the 
Columbia tragedy," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. 
"The Space Shuttle Program, the entire space flight 
community, and the nation will be served by Bill's great 
leadership. He will be missed by our colleagues at Stennis, 
but the benefits to all the NASA family will be tremendous."

Parsons began his career in the United States Marine Corps 
as an Infantry Officer, then worked as a manufacturing 
engineer and later as an aerospace engineer at Cape 
Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. 

In 1990, Parsons joined the NASA team at Kennedy Space 
Center (KSC) as a Launch Site Support Manager in the Shuttle 
Operations Directorate, worked as an Executive Management 
Intern, and later as the Shuttle Flow Director of the 
Shuttle Operations Directorate at KSC. In 1996, he became 
Manager of the Space Station Hardware Integration Office at 
KSC.

"From the first time I saw a Space Shuttle launch, I knew I 
wanted to be a part of NASA and America's space exploration 
efforts," said Parsons. "This is a challenging time for the 
program, but the people of NASA have a long, successful 
history of overcoming adversity. I'm proud to be a part of 
the Return to Flight effort and look forward to getting the 
Space Shuttle safely flying again."

Parsons has received numerous honors, including NASA's 
Exceptional Service Medal; the National Intelligence Medal 
of Achievement; the Silver Snoopy, awarded by astronauts for 
outstanding performance in flight safety and mission 
success; the Center Directors' Commendation; and the 
Commandants Certificate of Commendation from the United 
States Marine Corps.

He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a 
Bachelor of Engineering degree. He also holds a Master of 
Science degree in Engineering Management from the University 
of Central Florida.

Stennis Deputy Director Michael Rudolphi will serve as 
interim director until a permanent successor is named.

For information about NASA, the Space Shuttle Program and 
space flight on the Internet, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov

http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov

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