Responsibilities
I am the vice president and general manager of Strategic Operations for Ball Aerospace. My organization consists of three divisions: Washington Operations, Communications, and Strategic Developments. I’m responsible for increasing Ball Aerospace’s presence in the market and facilitating collaboration across our company, and serve as the company’s senior representative in the Washington, DC area.
Degrees/School
B.S.E. and M.S.E., aerospace engineering, University of Michigan
International Space University, summer session program (space policy & law)
Career Path
I began work during the Cold War as an aerospace engineer at ANSER, a think tank in the Washington, DC area. At ANSER, I worked on advanced launch vehicles, became an expert on Russian rocket engines, and then served as chief of Moscow Operations during the very early days of establishing cooperation with Russia and Ukraine on space activities. This led me to the entrepreneurial part of my career, where I worked at Kistler Aerospace Corporation to develop the privately funded K-1 reusable launch vehicle, and then as president of AirLaunch LLC, developing a small rocket to launch out of the back of a C-17 cargo aircraft. After the start-ups, I did an academic sabbatical at Stevens Institute of Engineering in systems engineering, and then joined Ball Aerospace at the beginning of 2013.
Why Space?
I chose space because I wanted to work on things that had never been done before. I grew up outside of Detroit, Michigan, surrounded by the automotive industry. Apparently this influenced me, as I ended up working on rocket engines and launch vehicles—a transportation industry of a different kind!
Words of Wisdom
I have benefited from advice of many mentors over the years and learned from my own experiences. To this day, I use my own guiding principle of “doing things that have never been done before” to make career or life decisions. I firmly believe in “passing it on”—in mentoring, sharing advice, helping others, and creating a community of collaboration.
Responsibilities
As the leader of a small entrepreneurial company, I am responsible for articulating the vision of the company, setting the strategic direction, and bringing together the people, partners, resources, and financing needed to turn the vision into reality.
Degrees/School
B.S. Engineering Science, U.S. Air Force Academy
S.M. Astronautical Engineering, MIT
Sc.D. Astronautical Engineering, MIT
MBA, Auburn University
Career Path
I began my career as an Astronautical Development Engineer in the Air Force with increasing responsibilities for the management of space programs. I finished my 23-year career in the Air Force as the Program Manager for DARPA’s space-based laser program and as Director of the Space Systems Architecture Study for the Strategic Defense Initiative Program. In 1989, I made the transition into commercial space to become a part of a revolutionary movement of lower cost systems with unlimited business potential. I have worked primarily with low-Earth orbit communications satellite systems as the chief architect, system designer, business developer, and promoter.
Why Space?
I chose space over aviation because I was impressed by the accomplishments of the first astronauts during my college studies, motivated by the challenge to be creative and innovative, and inspired by the national importance and significance of the U.S. space effort at that time.
Words of Wisdom
Try to think outside of the box, don’t accept negative responses, be persistent in the pursuit of your dreams, and work hard.
Responsibilities
As the Principal Investigator for a number of NASA- (and occasionally NSF-) funded research grants I formulate the research project goals and objectives, manage the conduct of the project (which for me also usually includes working with several Co-Investigators), and lead the writing of resulting publications and conference abstracts.
Degrees/School
B.S. Astronomy, University of Michigan
M.S. Astronomy, University of Florida
Ph.D. Astronomy, University of Florida
Career Path
I decided early on to take an academic path in astronomical research. I worked directly through undergraduate and graduate school, proceeding to several years of post-doctoral work before being hired at Southwest Research Institute where I have worked since 1998.
Why Space?
I was always, from my very earliest childhood memories, interested in science in general, and in space/astronomical topics specifically. By early high school I had already firmly decided on an academic path toward a PhD in Astronomy. During my graduate studies I came in more direct contact with the Space Shuttle program and many astronauts and decided that my skills and interests might be well matched to working as an astronaut as well. I interviewed as a finalist for the NASA 2004 astronaut class and today am one of three suborbital payload specialists at the company I work for.
Words of Wisdom
Be tenacious and creative. Hone your “people” and communication skills—be a good team member and value the inputs and advice from those you work with. If you don't already, learn to like to write proposals to raise the funds to do the work you want to do.
Responsibilities
As the Deputy Social Media Manager for NASA, I help oversee and coordinate nearly 500 social media accounts covering NASA’s people, missions, and programs across 12 different platforms. I routinely coordinate between internal social media users and NASA’s external community of fans and followers to tell NASA’s story using tools such as the agency’s flagship Twitter account, @NASA, Instagram account, and pages on Facebook and Google+. I also provide guidance to agency leadership on social media best practices, policy, and upcoming social media activities. Additionally, I am responsible for NASA Socials; events that take online engagement with fans and followers to the next level through behind-the-scenes, in-person experiences at NASA.
Degrees/School
B.A. Political Science, University of Colorado at Boulder
Career Path
I have over 15 years of professional and freelance experience communicating online, starting as a freelance web designer for small local businesses and student organizations at colleges and universities in 1999.
I began fulltime summer employment as an intern at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center where I worked on building web pages and engaged in other activities for the public affairs office. That internship grew to include year-around employment part-time while continuing to go to school and continued fulltime during school breaks for the remainder of my undergraduate years. Upon graduation, NASA was not hiring in my field, so I took a job at the Department of Education coordinating a network of websites and web applications for special education teachers around the country. Later, I returned to NASA where I was a contractor at NASA Headquarters working as an editor and producer for the
NASA.gov website. During my time working on the website, I was also involved in supporting the growing presence NASA had on social media. After a few years in this role, I had an opportunity to take a civil service position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as their webmaster. At NOAA, I specialized in the creation, development and operations of online communications for
NOAA.gov and NOAA’s social media accounts. And that led me to my current job at NASA.
Why Space?
I was obsessed with science fiction, Star Trek in particular, as a kid. It still captures my imagination to this day. And I have come to realize that deep down, everyone has some sort of childlike wonderment in them like that. For many, it’s the moments where they look at the stars in the night sky and wonder what’s out there. Being able to help keep that sense of wonderment alive by sharing the story of what is really out there and how it is being explored is just an incredible opportunity that makes me excited to go to work each day. I’ve left jobs at NASA twice and returned twice. Each time, I realize this is what I want to do with my life. I want to share space with the world and engage humanity about the world around them, while telling the story of incredible discoveries and technical triumphs that allow us to be a species of explorers.
Words of Wisdom
One of the biggest pieces of advice I give students all the time is to take advantage of an internship opportunity while they are still in school. It is essential at building experience that can be essential in landing your first fulltime job out of school. My internship at NASA Goddard was invaluable at building a network of contacts and a body of experience that continues to propel me throughout my career.
Kobie Boykins
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Principal Mechanical Engineer
Pasadena, CA
Degrees/School
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Responsibilities
- Managing engineering managers
- Technical resource on mechanical actuators and motors and general spacecraft and instrument design
- Design and delivery of mechanical hardware
Career Path
I decided I wanted to be a spacecraft engineer in 5th grade. I wanted to be Geordi La Forge from Star Trek, he is the engineer. From there I started my trek to become a mechanical engineer so I could build the first interstellar vehicle. I chose RPI as it is a great engineering school with a relationship with NASA. I was offered an internship (COOP) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. From there I worked to get a job at JPL and have been there ever since.
Why Space?
I am a huge Star Wars and Star Trek fan and love the idea of being able to work on the cutting edge of technology. As I got older, working in the space industry opened up the ability to continue learning and being challenged everyday.
Words of Wisdom
NEVER STOP LEARNING. Failure is not an end, it’s a beginning. Learn from all your mistakes, and never make the same mistake twice. Find the thing you love to do, and do that everyday of your life. Boredom is an insult to oneself— this is not mine, but I really like it.
Charles Bolden Jr.
NASA Administrator
Washington, D.C.
Degrees/School
BS, Electrical Science, U.S. Naval Academy
MS, Systems Management, University of Southern California
Career Highlights
- Retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General
- Marine aviator and test pilot, logging more than 6,000 hours of flight time
- Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen (US Naval Academy)
- Astronaut: STS-61C (pilot), STS-31 (pilot), STS-45 (mission commander), and STS-60 (mission commander)
- Administrator of NASA
Whatever field you will be entering through your studies…my advice for you is quite simple…dream big dreams; do what you want to do; don't listen to anyone who tells you can’t do something or you don't belong; do your job and do it very well; and don’t let the opportunity to make a difference in your world pass you by.
The writer Zora Neale Hurston said, “No matter how far a person can go, the horizon is still way beyond you.” There’s truly much to behold on the horizon, and all of you are at the leading edge of reaching for it, no matter what your field of expertise.
I’m a military man and an astronaut. But only one of those paths was on my radar when I was your age…I never dreamed of being an astronaut and flying in space and none of that would have occurred…had it not been for the mentorship and encouragement of a kind and generous man, the late Dr. Ron McNair, who challenged me to not be afraid of challenging myself—to believe what my mom and dad had told me for as long as I can remember—that I could do anything I wanted to do…But I would have to be willing to study hard and work hard to attain my goals—I would have to have faith in my ability and myself.
You’ll realize that what you learned here [at the university level] is only the beginning of your story. Like my systems engineers always tell me, there is just nothing that can take the place of what you learn on the job.
* Excerpts from 2014 commencement speech, University of Michigan
Elizabeth Silbolboro Mezzacappa
Columbia–Presbyterian Medical Center
Psychological Researcher
New York City, NY
Responsibilities
Psychological Research
Degrees/School
B.A. Psychology and Biology, University of Pennsylvania
PhD Medical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Life Sciences Program, International Space University
Career Path
I am a space medical psychologist working among the space, academic, and lay communities. While I am not in daily contact with space medical and psychological research, I see it as part of my responsibility to inform these communities through my participation in invited workshops, lectures, and presentations on psychological aspects of living in space. For example, I founded the Aerospace Biomedical Association at my university and have presented research relating to space at the Ford Foundation/National Academy of Sciences meeting and the annual convention of the American Psychological Society. My PhD work was supported by a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Fellowship award. Early last year, I was awarded a small grant from the 2111 Foundation for Exploration to investigate cloistered contemplative communities as psychosocial space analogs.
Why Space?
Human psychological and behavioral issues are perhaps the least examined, yet arguably the most important for a permanent exodus into space.
Words of Wisdom
You don’t have to be “in” the space community per se, to make a contribution to the space effort in psychology. One can do meaningful space psychological research outside of NASA or the space industry. There is so much to be done, it can’t be restricted to the typical spaceflight centers.
Paul Freid
U.S. Department of Defense
Space Systems Engineer
Maryland
Degrees/School
B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of Lowell
Responsibilities
I have been working in a department whose goal is to develop secure communications techniques for satellite communication networks. These techniques are used in military, civilian and commercial communications systems. This requires knowledge of electronics, software, cryptography, contracting, and —most important of all—our customer’s needs.
Why Space?
I wanted to work on leading edge technology, and early in my career I was given the opportunity to work in the space arena. The government agency that I am employed by allows me to utilize technologies years before their commercial potential or application can be realized
Words of Wisdom
Choosing to work for the Department of Defense is one of the many options that may be available to you. If you want to work on the cutting edge of high-technology research and development, working with or for the government may provide you with that opportunity.
Max Stolack
Pratt & Whitney
Project Engineer, Rocket Engines
West Palm Beach, Florida
Responsibilities
Our group is responsible for coordinating the activities of several departments involved with the manufacture, assembly, and test of experimental jet and rocket engines. One of our main responsibilities is troubleshooting problems so that the engine is built and tested properly, and is on time and on budget.
Degrees/School
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Career Path
Originally, I thought about a career in robotics but shifted to rocket propulsion and composite materials in my junior year. No direct job opportunity in space presented itself so I took a job working on jet engines before transferring internally to develop rocket engines for spaceflight.
Why Space?
The thing I like best about the space industry is that you can see the big picture. When we take our engine to the test range and watch it work, we can see the results of our labor.
Words of Wisdom
Do not be afraid of changing jobs or careers. Space is made up of a whole range of organizations, big and small, private and government. Each person will find a different level of happiness in a different type of organization.
