Dwayne Brown/Bob Jacobs

Headquarters, Washington March 4, 2002

(Phone: 202/358-1726/1600)

RELEASE: 02-43

NASA ADMINISTRATOR NAMES GREGORY

ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SPACE FLIGHT

NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe today named Frederick D.

Gregory as the Associate Administrator for Space Flight,
placing him permanently in charge of the agency's Human
Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise.

Gregory, 60, has served as Acting Associate Administrator for

the office since December, when he replaced Joseph H.
Rothenberg, who retired.

"I am pleased Fred agreed to make this commitment to what is

one of the most important positions within NASA," said
Administrator O'Keefe. "He brings great experience and
leadership to this office, and his commitment to safety is
vital as our human space flight program moves forward."

Astronaut William F. Readdy will remain in the critical

senior leadership position of Deputy Associate Administrator
for Space Flight with expanded responsibilities over major
programs, operations and management of the Human Exploration
and Development of Space Enterprise.

Before accepting his appointment in the Office of Space

Flight, Gregory was the Associate Administrator for Safety
and Mission Assurance. The veteran astronaut was the senior
executive responsible for the safety and reliability of all
NASA programs.

Gregory was selected as an astronaut in 1978, after a

distinguished career with the U.S. Air Force. He logged
nearly 7,000 hours in 50 types of aircraft, including 550
combat missions over Vietnam. At NASA, Gregory logged more
than 455 hours in space during three Space Shuttle missions.
In 1985, he served as pilot on board Challenger during STS-
51B. Gregory was mission commander for STS-33 in 1989 and
STS-44 in 1991.
"This is an exciting time for the Office of Space Flight and
this agency," said Gregory. "I deeply appreciate
Administrator O'Keefe's confidence in me, and I will work to
meet his objectives to make space exploration safe and more
affordable, and to involve the public in the benefits and
excitement of human space flight."

Gregory has been awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal,

two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Defense Meritorious
Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, 16 Air Medals,
The Air Force Commendation Medal and three NASA Space Flight
medals.

His honors also include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal,

the NASA Outstanding Leadership Award, the National Society
of Black Engineers Distinguished National Scientist Award,
the George Washington University Distinguished Alumni Award
and an "Ira Eaker Fellow" by the Air Force Association.

Additional information about Gregory is available on the

Internet at:

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/gregory-fd.html

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