The Crew and Thermal Systems Division, where our motto is “Pioneering Technology to Live and Work in Space”, is responsible for designing, testing, and developing technology for environmental control/life support systems (ECLSS) and active thermal control systems (ATCS) for spacecraft and extravehicular crew members, as well as crew equipment and space suits for extravehicular activity (EVA) and other hazardous environments.The division provides test capability in both vacuum and thermal/vacuum environments including specialized human test facilities. In-house capability exists for softgoods fabrication, non-metallic materials development and testing, wet and gas chemical analysis, and EVA/payload mechanical equipment design.Currently, the division is engaged in providing system management, sustaining engineering, and GFE hardware for the ISS, supporting the successful certification of the vehicles that fly to ISS as part of the Commercial Crew program, and providing system management and GFE hardware for the Orion program. The division is also key in the Artemis program as we provide system management to both Gateway and HLS, and are working on a significant amount of GFE to include the xEMU, xEVA tools, vehicle interface equipment and much more. The division is also looking to the future, maturing technologies that will enable our next steps towards a sustained lunar presence, and eventually a trip to Mars.

The Crew and Thermal Systems Division, where our motto is “Pioneering Technology to Live and Work in Space”, is responsible for designing, testing, and developing technology for environmental control/life support systems (ECLSS) and active thermal control systems (ATCS) for spacecraft and extravehicular crew members, as well as crew equipment and space suits for extravehicular activity (EVA) and other hazardous environments.The division provides test capability in both vacuum and thermal/vacuum environments including specialized human test facilities. In-house capability exists for softgoods fabrication, non-metallic materials development and testing, wet and gas chemical analysis, and EVA/payload mechanical equipment design.Currently, the division is engaged in providing system management, sustaining engineering, and GFE hardware for the ISS, supporting the successful certification of the vehicles that fly to ISS as part of the Commercial Crew program, and providing system management and GFE hardware for the Orion program. The division is also key in the Artemis program as we provide system management to both Gateway and HLS, and is working on a significant amount of GFE to include the xEMU, xEVA tools, vehicle interface equipment and much more. The division is also looking to the future, maturing technologies that will enable our next steps towards a sustained lunar presence, and eventually a trip to Mars.

Responsible for the leadership, supervision and management of a large branch with the responsibilities of flight system development, sustaining engineering, and technology development in the domains of EVA space suits, airlock hardware, and crew survival systems which includes pressure garments, occupant protection, post landing survival, search and rescue supporting hardware to support mission phases from suit up to post mission recovery.Current efforts include the system management of the ISS EMU space suit and relevant airlock interfacing equipment, the support and system management of commercial crew space suit efforts for the Commercial Crew Program, the development of the Orion Crew Survival System (OCSS) as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) for the Orion Program, the GFE development of the xEMU flight demonstrator for the ISS Program, and the development of other EVA and survival related GFE hardware for ISS EMU enhancements and technology demonstrations in various areas.Also, the lead of the EVA Systems Maturation Team for the agency with the responsibility of the identification and maturation of EVA technologies that will enable NASA to perform EVA at the next destination. This also entails leadership of the EVA SBIR subtopic area and of the development of higher TRL technologies via other NASA funding sources.This current role requires me to set vision and mission for EVA for the engineering directorate, to set the engineering priorities to meet the objectives, to ensure personnel and system safety (for life support systems and facilities with high pressure oxygen), do contract planning and execution, to ensure technical excellence and mission success, to lead and develop 2nd tier managers, project managers, systems engineers, and discipline expert engineers, and to oversee project managers and ensure scope/schedule/cost are all on track.

Advised the Exploration Systems Mission Director on the area of EVA during the time preceding the Constellation Program termination. Also represented the agency to outside organizations like the National Academy of Sciences and created a white paper regarding the future of EVA based upon the Augustine Committee options.

Deputy Project Manager for a >$1B, long term project whose purpose was to develop a space suit system, vehicle interfaces, and tools that would be used for getting people to the moon and operating on the lunar surface for extended duration visits. Primary focus (and reason that I was chosen for the position) was on ensuring technical excellence and incorporating lessons learned and designs from previous programs, and on contractor technical team start-up and hardware design/development approach. During this time also chosen for the inaugural class of the prestigious NASA Project Leadership Program.

Responsible for the supervision and management of a 30 person branch with technical responsibility of current space suit systems to include the EMU Space Suit, Shuttle Crew Escape and Life Support Equipment (ACES suit), the Constellation Space Suit System and ancillary hardware, and EVA Technology Development. Also during this time, served as the Technical Committee Chairman and source board voting member of the Constellation Space Suit System Procurement.

Responsible for the development of a new business model, customer relations, and contract planning for the new Space Suit Systems for Exploration. Responsibilities in the latter role include strategic planning for technical and resource management, space suit system procurement development, financial management, and all aspects of management regarding the Engineering Support Contract for space suit products. Assisted the Branch Chief in the personnel management duties for a 25 person branch. Examples of these duties include job assignments, employee development, awards, etc. Also during this time, served as the Technical Committee Chairman and source board voting member of the Constellation Space Suit System Procurement.

Responsible for technical management regarding the development, certification, and subsystem management for the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU, Space Suit). Regularly led failure investigation teams and provided technical and project management guidance for the various EMU related contractors. Provided fluid, structural, and thermal analyses for various EVA related projects. Also performed duties as the EMU Laboratory Manager. Regular COOP student mentor with six outstanding mentor awards.

Responsible for all operations in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division EMU Laboratory. Led large team composed of four different contractor organizations in the re-opening of the facility and the development and certification of test equipment for high pressure gas (including oxygen), and the development of procedures for test operations. Assured that all laboratory users adhered to occupational safety and health requirements.

Served in roles of increasing responsibility to culminate in Executive Officer and acting Commanding Officer of the NR Special Boat Team Riverine, which is in Stennis, MS. Responsible for all operational and administrative activities for a Task Unit consisting of 4 Naval Special Warfare (NSW) riverine craft and their crews. Previously performed duties as operations officer and patrol officer. Also qualified as a Naval Parachutist and a Naval Special Warfare Range Safety Officer.

Adjunct faculty in the Math Department of the College of the Mainland in Galveston County, Texas. Taught College Algebra to a class of about 30 students. Could not continue due to Navy obligations increasing.

Responsible for all Crew and Thermal System Division products to the TransHab project. Products included an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLS), an Active Thermal Control System (ATCS), a Water Recovery System (WRS), a radiation shield, and all thermal and thermal vacuum system testing. Project was terminated.

Chosen by the Crew and Thermal Systems Division to represent the division at the directorate level while developing the skills necessary to perform at the management level.

Responsible for the determination and risk mitigation of all environments relevant to the flight of the TransHab module on the International Space Station. Managed budgets, schedules and subsystem leads to include experts in thermal sciences, space radiation, electromagnetic effects, and many others. Also responsible for developing testing methods and facilities unique to the project.

Developed thermal math models in support of projects including: X-38, TransHab, EVA Display, and Advanced Propulsion Laboratory. Software used includes I-DEAS/TMG, PATRAN, TSS, and SINDA.

Designed and managed thermal, vacuum, and thermal-vacuum tests for the training of astronauts, certification of hardware for space flight, and acquisition of data for use in the building and verification of mathematical models.

Active duty enlisted, serving as a combat medic (airborne) in the 4th Engineer Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division and later as a flight medic in the 571st Helicopter Med Det.