NASA GRC Center Director Campbell Selected as NASA Deputy Administrator Special Assistant
NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick D. Gregory today
named Donald J. Campbell, Director for NASA’s Glenn Research
Center (GRC) at Lewis Field in Cleveland, to help develop
high-power generation systems for propulsion and exploration.
Effective Oct. 1, Campbell will become Special Assistant for
Nuclear and Alternative Power Generation Systems.
“Don’s leadership and his devotion to the success of the
Glenn Research Center has made it a premiere advanced
technology laboratory,” Gregory said. “He’s a remarkable
public servant whose ongoing counsel on innovative technology
will play an important role in NASA’s continued advancement
of next generation power systems that will help extend the
agency’s mission of discovery into the unexplored regions of
the Universe.”
In his position as Special Assistant to the Deputy
Administrator, Campbell will provide the leadership required
to focus and integrate NASA’s in-space alternative power
generation development activities. Campbell’s efforts, which
will be based at GRC, represent a revolutionary approach for
next-generation power and propulsion systems. High capacity
power generation is a fundamental building block for
sustained robotic and human exploration beyond low Earth
orbit.
Dr. Julian M. Earls, GRC Deputy Director, will take over as
Center Director, when Campbell assumes his new position.
Campbell began his government career in 1960 as a test
engineer for gas turbine engines and engine components at the
U.S. Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory, Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, Ohio.
In 1986, Campbell was assigned as an interim Directorate
Chief during the implementation of the National Aerospace
Plane (NASP) Program Office at Wright-Patterson, and in 1987
he became Acting Deputy director of the Aero Propulsion
Laboratory. In 1988, he was selected for the rank of Senior
Executive Service and was appointed Deputy Program Director
for the Propulsion System Program Office, Aeronautical
Systems Division.
In 1990, he was appointed Director of the U.S. Air Force Aero
Propulsion and Power Laboratory. He was responsible for
development in the areas of gas turbine engines, ramjet
engines, aerospace power systems, fuels and lubricants. He
was named Director of Science and Technology in 1992 for the
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for
Acquisition in Washington.
Campbell earned a bachelor’s degree at Ohio Northern
University and a master’s degree at Ohio State University,
both in mechanical engineering. His successful career in
public service has earned him numerous awards and accolades
including honorary doctorate degrees from Wilberforce
University, Ohio Northern University, and Cranfield
University, United Kingdom.
He completed the Senior Executive Seminar in Management at
Carnegie Mellon School of Urban and Public Affairs and the
Executive Leadership Program at the Federal Executive
Institute. He has studied at the Brookings Institute and
Defense Systems Management School.
Campbell has been honored with the Air Force Systems Command
Certificate of Merit, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award,
and the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in
the Senior Executive Service. He also received the
Affirmative Action Award from the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Holiday Commission and was named the 1998 Federal
Laboratory Director of the Year for Technology Transfer by
the Federal Laboratory Consortium. He was recently recognized
with the Technical Excellence in Government and Engineer of
the Year Award from the National Technical Association.
Campbell was presented the Career Achievement Award by the
2001 Black Engineer of the Year Awards.
“Don has been an innovator his entire career and he’s been a
tireless advocate for both Glenn and his hometown,” added
Gregory. “I know the entire NASA family looks forward to
Don’s continuing contributions in this important position
critical to opening the frontiers of deep space and
fulfilling NASA’s vision.”
GRC has more than 500 specialized research facilities located
at the 350-acre site near Cleveland’s Hopkins International
Airport, and the 6400-acre Plum Brook Station in Sandusky,
Ohio. Information about NASA and GRC is available on the
Internet at:
