Radzanowski Replaces Whitesides as NASA Chief of Staff

NASA announced this afternoon that Dave Radzanowski will replace George Whitesides as NASA’s Chief of Staff. In addition, James Stofan was named acting Associate Administration for Education. The announcement follows:

ADMINISTRATOR BOLDEN ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Administrator Charlie Bolden on Friday announced two changes in his leadership team at Headquarters in Washington. David Radzanowski was selected as the agency’s new chief of staff, and James Stofan was named as the acting associate administrator for Education.

Radzanowski, who was NASA’s deputy associate administrator for Program Integration in the Space Operations Mission Directorate, succeeds George Whitesides, who is returning to private industry. Whitesides was selected chief of staff after serving on the NASA transition team for the incoming administration of President Barack Obama in November 2008. Radzanowski’s new position will be effective May 10, 2010.

“We are deeply grateful to George for his service to the agency and his leadership, and I know the entire NASA family joins me in wishing him the best in the new challenges and successes that await him,” Bolden said. “David has been a valued member of the agency’s senior leadership team during this critical time of transition, and we are looking forward to his continued contributions as we move forward on this new course in human and scientific exploration.”

Radzanowski received a bachelor’s degree in astronomy-physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1988, and a master’s in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, in 1990.

Stofan was Education’s deputy associate administrator before being named as the acting head of the office. He succeeds Dr. Joyce Winterton, who will move to the Suborbital and Special Orbital Projects Directorate as a senior advisor developing student flight programs and other education initiatives.

“I want to thank Joyce for her ongoing contributions to NASA’s education efforts, helping us inspire new generations of students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” added Bolden. “We have a lot of important work ahead of us to ensure our investments in education support the needs of our nation. I know Jim’s energy and focus will help us not only meet but exceed our objectives to help educate the engineers and scientists of the future.”

Stofan graduated in 1989 from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral biology and sociology, and in 1994 earned a master’s degree in instructional technology from the University of Central Florida, Orlando.