NASA Names Deputy Assistant Administrators for External Relations
NASA Deputy Administrator Fred Gregory today announced the
appointments of Albert “Al” Condes as Deputy Assistant
Administrator, and Joseph R. “Joe” Wood as Deputy Assistant
Administrator (Exploration), Office of External Relations.
Condes is responsible for NASA’s international activities and
coordination, particularly those related to Human Space Flight
and Earth Science, in the U.S government interagency process.
“Al will greatly enhance NASA’s broad range of international
cooperative programs and interagency activities. His proven
ability to lead complex, multi-lateral negotiations and to
balance diverse international requirements is outstanding,”
Gregory said.
Condes previously served in various positions within the Office
of External Relations, most recently as Director for the Human
Space Flight and Research Division. He was responsible for
international cooperation within NASA’s Human Exploration and
Development of Space Enterprise, and Biological and Physical
Research Enterprise. This included international aspects of the
Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station program
and cooperative initiatives with Russia.
He was a principal author of agreements with Russia, Europe,
Japan and Canada for their respective participation in the
International Space Station program. Condes also was Executive
Secretary to the International Space Station Multilateral
Coordination Board during a particularly challenging period for
the Station program.
Condes has been a member of the federal Senior Executive
Service since January 1999 and has received numerous NASA
awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. He has a
bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics from George Mason
University and a master’s degree in Science, Technology and
Public Policy from the Elliot School of International Affairs,
George Washington University.
Wood is responsible for development of NASA’s international
exploration activities, particularly those related to
exploration beyond low earth orbit. He also will coordinate
NASA exploration policy formulation within the U.S. government
interagency process.
Wood is responsible for executive leadership and policy
direction for External Relations involvement with exploration
activities and related international cooperation by the NASA
Offices of Space Science, Exploration Systems and Aeronautics.
He is responsible for coordination with other executive
agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security.
“Joe brings to the Office of External Relations a unique policy
perspective and broad interagency experience that will be
fundamental to successful implementation of the President’s
vision for space exploration,” Gregory said.
As Special Advisor to the Vice President for National Security
Affairs at the White House in 2001-2003, Wood was responsible
for space matters, European policy and Air Force issues.
Wood comes to NASA after a career in the U.S. Air Force. He had
assignments in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the
Joint Staff, the U.S. Mission to the Conventional Forces in
Europe Talks, and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.
Wood is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has a
master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard
University’s Kennedy School of Government.
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