Estess Apponited Acting Director of Johnson Space Cneter; Craig Named Acting Director of Stennis Space Center

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. -NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin appointed Mississippi native Roy Estess, director of NASA's Stennis Space Center, acting director of Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. JSC Director George Abbey has been appointed to a position at NASA Headquarters to serve as Administrator Goldin's Senior Assistant for International Issues. Mark Craig, who has been Deputy Director of Stennis Space Center since 1995, will serve as Acting Director of Stennis Space Center.

"We face a difficult and challenging future within the space program, and Roy Estess, working closely with Joe Rothenberg, Associate Administrator for Space Flight, will ensure a firm footing during this period," said Goldin. Estess' 40-year career in critical engineering and management positions distinguished him as a recognized leader. He received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award on two occasions. Rothenberg will have the responsibility, along with Estess, to make recommendations for JSC's new leader.

A graduate of Mississippi State University, Estess served as Deputy Director of Stennis Space Center from 1980 through 1988, becoming Center Director in 1989. From 1992 to 1993, he was temporarily assigned to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. as a special assistant to two consecutive NASA administrators.

Prior to coming to Stennis, Craig held management positions at JSC and at NASA Headquarters on a variety of space exploration programs. As staff to the NASA Administrator, he was the principal architect of both the NASA Strategic Plan and the strategy for the human exploration and development of space. He and his wife, Christy, and two daughters live in Picayune, Miss.

Photos are available upon request.

Thursday, March 1, 2001
Source: Stennis Space Center