NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe Resigns

Washington, DC, Dec. 14/Satnews Daily/ ¾ Administrator Sean O'Keefe, who over the past three years led the National Aeronautics and Space Administration through an aggressive and comprehensive management transformation and helped the agency through one of its most painful tragedies, has resigned.

In his resignation letter, Keefe said he will continue until the President has named a successor and until the Senate acts on the nomination in February 2005.

"I've been honored to serve this President, the American people and my talented colleagues here at NASA," said Administrator O'Keefe. "Together, we've enjoyed unprecedented success and seen each other through arduous circumstances. This was the most difficult decision I've ever made, but it's one I felt was best for my family and our future."

O'Keefe, 48, is NASA's tenth administrator. Nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, he was sworn into office Dec. 21, 2001. It was the Administrator's fourth Presidential appointment.

After joining NASA, Administrator O'Keefe focused his efforts on successfully bringing financial credibility to the agency and eliminating a $5 billion budget shortfall for the International Space Station program. He introduced a number of innovative management and budget reforms. He led all federal agencies in the implementation of the President's Management Agenda, which is designed to make government more responsive and efficient. In three of the original five categories on the Agenda, NASA's performance is at the highest standard.

The tragic loss of seven astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere during STS-107 on Feb. 1, 2003, focused the nation's attention on the future of America's space program.

Administrator O'Keefe directed significant changes in the Space Shuttle's safety and management programs. He was a key architect of the President's new Vision for Space Exploration, announced in January during a historic speech at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

The new Vision for Space Exploration led a transformation of NASA and has positioned the agency to meet the challenges of safely returning the Space Shuttle to flight, completing the International Space Station, exploring the complexities of our home planet, and going back to the moon, on to Mars and beyond.

Encouraging students to study mathematics, science and technology has been a priority for the Administrator. In April 2002, he unveiled a new Educator Astronaut Program, in which a select few of the most outstanding teachers would be chosen to join NASA's Astronaut Corps. The new Educator Astronaut candidates were introduced in May on Space Day and are in training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

During his tenure, Administrator O'Keefe realized a number of significant mission triumphs, including Cassini's exploration of Saturn and its moons, the recent successful hypersonic test flights of the X-43A and the historic landing of the twin Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity on the Red Planet in January.

"NASA is the only agency in the world where its people are allowed to dream big and then work to make those dreams come true. Who wouldn't treasure the opportunity to be a part of pioneering history?" added the Administrator. "I'm humbled by the dedication and determination of the NASA Family and their commitment to the future of exploration. I wish each of them the very best. I am confident in their ability to carry out what we've started," Administrator O'Keefe concluded.

Administrator O'Keefe first joined the Bush Administration as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, overseeing the preparation, management and administration of the Federal budget and government wide-management initiatives. "The extraordinary opportunities you have permitted me to assume these last four years have been experiences of a lifetime," the Administrator wrote in his resignation letter. "In the most challenging moments during my service I have drawn considerable strength, resolve and determination to do what's right by the standards you set every day." From 1989 to 1992, Administrator O'Keefe served as Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Defense. President George H. Bush appointed him as the Secretary of the Navy in July 1992.

Before joining then Defense Secretary Dick Cheney's Pentagon management team, he served on the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations staff for eight years, and was Staff Director of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. His public service began in 1978 when he was selected as a Presidential Management Intern.

Administrator O'Keefe is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration; a member of the Committee on Climate Change Science and Technology; and a Fellow of the International Academy of Astronautics.

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