Personnel News: May 2005 Archives

Director Welcomes Mary Kicza's Return to NASA GSFC

"I am pleased to announce today that I have named Mary Kicza as my Special Assistant and asked her to serve as the Acting Director for Business Management in the Science and Exploration Directorate at NASA Goddard. Mary begins her new assignment on Monday, May 23."

NASA ARC Internal Memo: Position Description Review

"The Human Resources (HR) Division has initiated a Center-wide position description (PD) review that will take place during the months of May and June. Supervisors are encouraged to make the PD review a part of the performance planning activity that is happening at this time."

NASA head offers hope of scaled-back Glenn cuts, Crain's Cleveland

"I expect the projected number will not be as drastic as stated in the past," Dr. Griffin said during a press conference last week at NASA Glenn. He did not specify how many jobs the center might lose under his plan."

NASA GRC Internal Memo: Reduction In Force (RIF) Preparations

"The GRC leadership team is beginning the planning process for a Reduction In Force (RIF) that may be implemented late next year. This is in concert with the Agency's workforce transformation plans announced shortly after the President's FY06 budget was delivered to Congress."

NASA chief: Glenn must learn to adjust, Cleveland Plain Dealer

"But the transition of the work done at Glenn and other NASA facilities is an indication of the centers' health, not decline, Griffin said. "People should welcome that as a sign of continued relevance."

Editor's note: Alas, the employees to be RIFed clearly no longer "continue to be relevant".

Editor's note: Word has it that Ed Weiler may be returning to NASA HQ from his tour of duty at GSFC soon. Also, it would seem that OSTP will continue its slow motion take over of NASA with the appointment of one of its staffers (or a preferred individual) - as Deputy Administrator to replace Fred Gregory. Courtney Stadd, a favorite of OSTP, apparently cannot make the financial sacrifice that would go with taking the number 2 position as a civil servant.

The folks at OSTP never liked the way that Sean O'Keefe dealt directly with the President and Vice President - especially during the formulation of the VSE - and they are determined to make sure that this situation does not happen again. OSTP will do so by having one of their own as the No. 2 at NASA.

In this regard, it is interesting to note who publicly swore in Mike Griffin (OSTP Director John Marburger - in his outer office) - and who swore in Sean O'Keefe (Vice President Cheney in front of an audience of hundreds at the National Air and Space Museum). The venue/mode of swearing in reflects nothing as to the inherent skills of either man. Rather, since neither Griffin nor O'Keefe were close to being the (initial) top choice for the job, it does illustrate the mode whereby Administration space policy was to be communicated back and forth. You work with the tools that you have at hand: O'Keefe was a self-professed bean counter and a Washington insider. Griffin is a rocket scientist/program manager. O'Keefe's White House interaction mode was direct and done personally. Griffin's will apparently (at least at the onset) be layered and bureaucratic - especialy since he has told senior staff that he has never met with President Bush with regard to NASA.

Stay tuned.

Reader comment: "I just wanted to let you know of the passing of a former NASA employee. I had the pleasure to meet him 2 times in his last year, and think he is worthy of some recognition. His name is John William Kiker, and he is the man who came up with and proved the idea of using a 747 to carry the Space Shuttle back to Florida when it landed in California or New Mexico. Here are some links to information about him and his death."

- Death Notice, Houston Chronicle
- Bio, NASA Oral History