Lagniappe for June 2024

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Lagniappe for June 2024

Explore Lagniappe for June 2024 featuring:

• NASA Employs Innovative Approach for Key Test Infrastructure Upgrade
• NASA Stennis Helps Family Build a Generational Legacy
• Employees Receive Awards and Recognitions

Gator Speaks

Gator is certain you have heard the saying, “Together, Everyone Achieves More” when referencing a benefit that comes with being part of a team.

Whether you are a high school or college student graduating at this time of year, or an employee at NASA’s Stennis Space Center receiving a NASA Honor Award or Space Flight Awareness Honoree Award last month, we all reach a point where we recognize the positive impact others have had on where we are in life.  

Since NASA’s founding in 1958, the agency has pushed the boundaries of scientific and technical limits to explore the unknown.

NASA has accomplished great things benefiting all of humanity because of people from all backgrounds coming together to contribute their skills as one team to further understanding of the universe.

This month’s Lagniappe features multiple pieces of evidence where teamwork is the underpinning to success, including the ongoing High Pressure Water Industrial Facility project at NASA Stennis and a story highlighting one family’s role as part of larger team contributing to the successful engine testing that has taken place for decades at the south Mississippi site.

If you need one last example of the benefit of coming together to achieve more, look no further than the Artemis Accords. A milestone was reached in May when Lithuania became the 40^th nation to join NASA and the international coalition pursuing a safer space exploration by signing the Artemis Accords.

Whether graduating high school or college, working at NASA, or joining the Artemis Accords with NASA, there is a good chance we all eventually arrive at a similar conclusion. While we can accomplish great things individually, being part of a team ultimately means that together, everyone achieves more.

NASA Stennis Top News

NASA Employs Innovative Approach for Key Test Infrastructure Upgrade

Crews are using an innovative engineering approach to upgrade an essential test complex water system that will help ensure the future of large propulsion testing at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Center Activities

NASA Stennis Helps Family Build a Generational Legacy

For Lee English Jr., the sound of a ringing phone probably sounds a lot like the roar of a rocket engine test at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

NASA’s Stennis Space Center Employees Receive NASA Honor Awards

NASA Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Kenneth Bowersox presented NASA Honor Awards to Stennis employees during an onsite ceremony May 15.

NASA Employee Earns Senior Executive Service Status

Longtime NASA employee Eli Ouder has achieved federal Senior Executive Service (SES) status and has been chosen director for the Office of Procurement for NASA’s Stennis Space Center and the NASA Shared Services Center, both located near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Created in 1979, SES classification is designed for federal employees who use well-developed executive skills to administer programs at the highest levels of government. The leadership program requires candidates to demonstrate skills in five key areas – leading change, leading people, results driven, business acumen, and building coalitions.

Ouder has served as procurement officer since 2022 for NASA Stennis and the NASA Shared Services Center. During this time, he has led a combined 177-person procurement office responsible for managing a diverse and complex procurement portfolio valued at over $7 billion.

This broad and high-volume portfolio includes the responsibility of overseeing local Center Support Contracts, Grants and Cooperative Agreements, Small Business Innovative Research contracts, Small Business Technology Transfer program support, Enterprise Software Procurements, agencywide Enterprise Contracts, Simplified Acquisition Threshold Purchases, Government Purchase Card Program management, and other activities in support of the NASA enterprise. 

During more than 18 years with NASA, Ouder has served in numerous roles while managing and leading the NASA Shared Services Center, including as chief of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold Branch. In that role, Ouder led a major transition of approximately 4,000 Simplified Acquisitions annually from 10 NASA centers to the NASA Shared Services Center. He continued to serve in the role until January 2022 when he became procurement officer for the services center. In December 2022, Ouder was assigned as procurement officer at NASA Stennis as well. 

2024 Hurricane Guide

Explore essential information for employees at NASA’s Stennis Space Center to navigate the 2024 hurricane season.

NASA Space Flight Awareness Program Recognizes Stennis Employees

NASA’s Stennis Space Center employees were recognized with Honoree Awards from NASA’s Space Flight Awareness Program during a May 4 ceremony in Orlando, Florida, for outstanding support of human spaceflight.

Jack Conley of Biloxi, Mississippi, is a NASA engineer in the Mechanical Operations Branch of the Engineering and Test Directorate at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He was honored for his performance in test operations support of NASA’s core spaceflight mission. As backup test conductor, his work was instrumental in the successful Green Run testing of NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) core stage at NASA Stennis prior to its use on the Artemis I mission.

Rachel Deschamp of Pass Christian, Mississippi, is an order clerk for Alutiiq Essential Services at NASA Stennis. She was recognized for attention to detail and commitment to success in enabling Alutiiq’s ability to meet and support NASA Stennis’ requirements.

Ronnie Good of Waveland, Mississippi, is a NASA engineer in the Safety, Quality and Management Systems Division of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate at NASA Stennis. He was recognized for contributions in leading a year-long systems transition used to record facility safety inspections and manage safety findings for NASA Stennis’ test and institutional facilities.

Odie Ladner of Poplarville, Mississippi, is a lead welder and test technician for Aerojet Rocketdyne, an L3 Harris Technologies company, at NASA Stennis. Ladner was recognized for his commitment and support of human spaceflight initiatives and programs and performance of weld repairs to RS-25 nozzle tubes in support of certification testing at NASA Stennis.

Shelly Lunsford of Long Beach, Mississippi, is a senior forms designer for SaiTech Inc. at NASA Stennis. She was honored for her professionalism and dedication in consolidating NASA Stennis and NASA Shared Services Center’s forms to enable customers and users to increase efficiency and create valid data and reports.

Peyton Pinson of Madison, Mississippi, is a NASA engineer in the Mechanical Operations Branch of the Engineering and Test Directorate at NASA Stennis. He was honored for his performance in test operations support to NASA’s core mission of spaceflight. As a mechanical test operations engineer, Pinson supports propulsion activities across the NASA Stennis test complexes.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Space Operations Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Kenneth Bowersox, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Catherine Koerner, and NASA Stennis Associate Director Rodney McKellip presented the Honoree Awards.

Glover was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and is currently assigned as the pilot of NASA’s Artemis II mission to the Moon. He previously served as the pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 64.

In recognition of flight program contributions, the Stennis employees toured NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and participated in activities in conjunction with the first launch attempt of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test of the Starliner spacecraft. The Crew Flight Test will launch Starliner and NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on a United Launch Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program.

NASA’s Space Flight Awareness Program recognizes outstanding job performances and contributions by civil service and contract employees throughout the year and focuses on excellence in quality and safety in support of human spaceflight. The Honoree Award is one of the highest honors presented to employees for their dedication to quality work and flight safety. Recipients must have contributed beyond their normal work requirements toward achieving a particular human spaceflight program goal; contributed to a major cost savings; been instrumental in developing material that increases reliability, efficiency or performance; assisted in operational improvements; or been a key player in developing a beneficial process improvement.

For information about Space Flight Awareness awards, visit:

Spaceflight Awareness Awards and Criteria – NASA

For information about NASA’s Stennis Space Center, visit:

Stennis Space Center – NASA

NASA Stennis Leaders Attend Aerospace and Defense Symposium

NASA Stennis Leaders Recognize Employees for Working Safely

NASA in the News

• NASA Earns Best Place to Work in Government for 12 Straight Years – NASA
• X-59 Passes Milestone (nasa.gov)
• Artemis Accords Reach 40 Signatories as NASA Welcomes Lithuania – NASA
• NASA Tests Technology, Practices Artemis Moonwalks in Arizona Desert – NASA

Employee Profile

Cassi Meyer can certainly testify that the nontraditional path taken from law school to NASA has landed her in the right place to work with the diverse workforce at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

Looking Back: Seeing the Engine Up Close

Additional Resources

• NASA Stennis Overview – Going Further
• Certifying Artemis Rocket Engines – NASA

Subscription Info

Lagniappe is published monthly by the Office of Communications at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. The NASA Stennis office may be contacted by at 228-688-3333 (phone); ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov (email); or NASA OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, Attn: LAGNIAPPE, Mail code IA00, Building 1111 Room 173, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (mail).

The Lagniappe staff includes: Managing Editor Lacy Thompson, Editor Bo Black, and photographer Danny Nowlin.

To subscribe to the monthly publication, please email the following to ssc-office-of-communications@mail.nasa.gov – name, location (city/state), email address.

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Rayos X en el firmamento

Esta imagen de todo el cielo muestra 22 meses de datos de rayos X registrados por la carga útil del Explorador de la Composición Interior de las Estrellas de Neutrones (NICER, por sus siglas en inglés) de la NASA —que viaja a bordo de la Estación Espacial Internacional— durante sus barridos nocturnos entre los diferentes objetivos a los que apunta.

Las principales metas de NICER requieren que esté apunte hacia las fuentes de energía cósmica y siga su recorrido, a medida que la estación espacial hace su órbita alrededor de la Tierra cada 93 minutos. Pero cuando el Sol se pone y la noche cae en este puesto de avanzada orbital, el equipo de NICER mantiene activos sus detectores mientras el instrumento pasa de un objetivo a otro, lo que puede ocurrir ocho veces durante cada órbita.

Cada arco marca el recorrido de los rayos X, así como los impactos ocasionales de partículas energéticas, que son captados durante estos movimientos nocturnos. El brillo de cada punto de la imagen es el resultado de estas contribuciones, así como del tiempo que NICER ha dedicado a mirar en esa dirección. Un resplandor difuso satura de rayos X el cielo, incluso lejos de las fuentes donde se origina el brillo.

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NASA Lawyer Contributes to the Commercialization of Space

Cassi Meyer can certainly testify that the nontraditional path taken from law school to NASA has landed her in the right place to work with the diverse workforce at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

The attorney-adviser is part of the General Law practice group for the NASA Office of the General Counsel, supporting NASA Stennis and the NASA Shared Services Center.  Meyer’s responsibilities include advising and counseling in areas such as commercial partnerships, FOIA, environmental law, safety and security, export control, ethics, and memoranda of understanding and other agreements in furtherance of NASA’s strategic goals.

NASA Stennis truly exemplifies how the agency works together for the benefit of all…It is where NASA collaborates with commercial industry and federal city tenants to achieve success and build a place the Gulf Coast area can unite and thrive around for years to come.

Cassi Meyer

Attorney-adviser, NASA Office of the General Counsel

A large part of Meyer’s work with NASA Stennis focuses on the agency’s collaboration with commercial industry at the largest propulsion test site in the United States.

“Everything NASA is doing is so incredibly interesting and inspiring to me as a legal professional,” she said. “We are really here to work with our innovative clients and advise them as to risks and courses of action so that we can get the job done right and efficiently.”

Meyer enjoys her role as a legal counselor, which she describes as a way to “help our clients help NASA achieve the agency’s goals, projects, and missions while the next era of space exploration bounds forward.”

The Macedonia, Ohio, native first supported NASA as a contractor paralegal in the Office of the General Counsel at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, while taking night classes at the University of Akron School of Law to earn her juris doctorate degree. She continued as a legal honors intern at NASA Glenn for eight months before graduating magna cum laude and taking the bar exam.

Meyer started as a law clerk with NASA Stennis in a teleworking capacity around the time she received news about passing the bar. Shortly after, she was hired in her current role of attorney-adviser working with the Center. To date, Meyer has visited seven of the 10 NASA centers to gain a better understanding of NASA culture and operations, including NASA Stennis multiple times in the past year. 

“Stennis goes the extra mile, and the workforce has been so kind, courteous, and competent,” she said. “There is always someone happy to jump in to teach you something if you do not understand. That’s important in my role as there is a lot of technical expertise needed at times for us lawyers to give the best and most comprehensive counsel we can.”

Meyer has embraced the continuous learning experience, which includes building relationships with those that are part of the federal city at the south Mississippi site.

 “NASA Stennis truly exemplifies how the agency works together for the benefit of all,” she said. “It is where NASA collaborates with commercial industry and federal city tenants to achieve success and build a place the Gulf Coast area can unite and thrive around for years to come.”

For information about NASA’s Stennis Space Center, visit:
Stennis Space Center – NASA

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LaToya Dean

NASA’s Stennis Space Center Employees Receive NASA Honor Awards

NASA Stennis Space Center Director John Bailey and NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Kenneth Bowersox presented NASA Honor Awards to Stennis employees during an onsite ceremony May 15.

Prior to presenting NASA Honor Awards to Stennis employees, Bailey received the Meritorious Senior Executive Presidential Rank Award. The award from the President of the United States is one of the highest awards given to career Senior Executive Service employees.

Since joining NASA in 1999, Bailey has served in various management and leadership roles. He was named NASA Stennis center director in April. As director, Bailey is responsible for implementing NASA’s mission in rocket propulsion testing and developing and maintaining NASA’s world-class rocket propulsion test facilities. He has provided leadership and managed critical rocket propulsion test assets exceeding $2 billion in replacement value and managed projects over $221 million.

One NASA Stennis employee received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal. The medal is awarded to government employees for notable leadership accomplishments that have significantly influenced the NASA mission.

NASA Honor Awards Recipients

Michael Tubbs of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal for his work as deputy director of the Office of Strategic Infrastructure within the Center Operations Directorate at NASA Stennis. The Yorktown, Virginia, native ushered in improvements and new initiatives that have helped achieve a cultural transformation and millions in cost-saving measures. His accomplishments also include leading the efforts to complete lease agreements between NASA and Rocket Lab of America for use of the A-3 Test Stand and between NASA and Relativity Space for use of the A-2 Test Stand.

Five NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal. The medal is awarded to government employees for sustained performance that embodies multiple contributions to NASA projects, programs, or initiatives.

David Lorance of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for his efforts in furthering the NASA mission through leadership of the Environmental and Health Services Office Division in the Center Operations Directorate at NASA Stennis. Lorance has been responsible for ensuring compliance with numerous environmental programs, managing resources to ensure requirements are met with no impact to mission projects, managing hundreds of regulatory reports for submission on time, and ensuring environmental permits are maintained.

Brad Messer of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for more than 32 years of service to NASA. Since joining NASA in 1991, Messer has contributed to a variety of propulsion test and engineering projects. As assistant director of the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate in charge of the Office of Project Management, Planning and Control, he has been responsible for the day-to-day business operations and project activities across the test complex. Messer has also made significant contributions to the strategic planning and execution of activities essential to the future state of the test complex.

Kevin Power of Mandeville, Louisiana, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for more than 34 years of service to NASA. As deputy assistant director for the Office of Project Management, Planning and Control in the Engineering and Test Directorate at NASA Stennis, the Port Sulphur, Louisiana, native has consistently delivered support to the NASA Stennis vision and mission. He has helped accomplish center, NASA, and national goals by providing management and engineering leadership, expertise, resources, and guidance to multiple NASA and commercial propulsion test projects, including some of the center’s most critical test infrastructure efforts.

Cecile Saltzman of Pass Christian, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for more than 20 years of service to the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. Saltzman’s work has included management of the directorate document process control function, ensuring NASA Stennis test complex assets and support facilities are operated, utilized, and continually improved in providing premier testing services to NASA and commercial customers. The Thibodaux, Louisiana, native has consistently exceeded the agency’s timeline for editing fiscal year accomplishments of all NASA Stennis senior executive service and senior level personnel.

John Stealey of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for more than 35 years of service to NASA, including 26 years at NASA Stennis. The Granville, Tennessee, native has contributed to a range of agency and center projects. Among his accomplishments, Stealey has assisted in overseeing strategic planning for NASA Stennis propulsion test facilities and workforce. He has served in various center roles, including as deputy of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate and assistant director of the Engineering and Test Directorate. He also served on the agency-level Exploration System Directorate Standing Review Board, providing expert advice on systems engineering and project management.

One NASA Stennis employee received NASA’s Exceptional Public Service Medal. The medal is awarded to non-government individuals or to an individual who was not a government employee during the period in which the service was performed for sustained performance that embodies multiple contributions on NASA projects, programs, or initiatives.

Rodney King of Picayune, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal for efforts as the facility maintenance supervisor on the Synergy-Achieving Consolidated Operations and Maintenance contract at NASA Stennis. In that role, King has been responsible for electrical and high voltage work at the site. King’s service-centered approach has rendered him successful in technical work activities and how he relates to customers, management, peers, and direct reports. He has been recognized by organizations throughout the NASA Stennis federal city for his quick response to outages or calls within their facilities.

Four NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Exceptional Bravery Medal. The medal is awarded to both government and non-government individuals for exemplary and courageous handling of an emergency by an individual who, independent of personal danger, has acted to prevent the loss of human life and/or government property.

Barry Hoda of Kiln, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal for exemplary and courageous actions while responding to a medical emergency at NASA Stennis to prevent the loss of human life on Dec. 7, 2022. An officer with Chenega Global Protection, Hoda noted the employee was unresponsive, and no pulse or respiration were detected. Hoda immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and then synchronized CPR chest compressions with other respondents, ensuring a continuous, uninterrupted blood supply to the employee’s brain. The rapid response and coordinated effort were directly responsible for saving a life.

Leeanna Dunigan of Diamondhead, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal for exemplary and courageous actions while responding to a medical emergency at NASA Stennis to prevent the loss of human life on Dec. 7, 2022. A captain with Chenega Global Protection, Dunigan helped provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the employee in distress by synchronizing CPR chest compressions with other respondents, ensuring a continuous, uninterrupted blood supply to the employee’s brain. The rapid response and coordinated effort were directly responsible for saving a life.

Brenden Burns of Gulfport, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal for exemplary and courageous actions while responding to a medical emergency at NASA Stennis to prevent the loss of human life on Dec. 7, 2022. An officer with Chenega Global Protection, Burns utilized an automated external defibrillator on an employee in distress. The rapid response and coordinated effort with others were directly responsible for saving a life.

Issac Delancey of Picayune, Mississippi, received the NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal for exemplary and courageous actions while responding to a medical emergency at NASA Stennis to prevent the loss of human life on Dec. 7, 2022. An officer with Chenega Global Protection, Delancey provided the automated external defibrillator while responding to an incident of an employee in distress. Upon arrival, Delancey provided the employee with artificial respiration and coordinated effort with others to maximize the effect of chest compressions. The rapid response and coordinated effort were directly responsible for saving a life.

One NASA Stennis employee received the NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to government or non-government individuals for exceptional technology contributions.

Richard Smith of Picayune, Mississippi, received NASA’s Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal for efforts that led to significant advances to the data acquisition and thrust vector control systems that provide critical support to propulsion testing onsite. Among his contributions, Smith, a contractor on the operations and maintenance contract at NASA Stennis, was the primary software system architect for the thrust vector control work to enable rocket engine gimbal testing. He also worked to ensure safe hydraulic operation of the system. His efforts enabled the NASA Stennis test team to perform successful certification testing of the new RS-25 production engine.

Four NASA Stennis employees received the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to any government employee for a significant specific achievement or substantial improvement in operations, efficiency, service, financial savings, science, or technology which contributes to the mission of NASA.

John Boffenmyer of Slidell, Louisiana, received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for maintaining the highest levels of performance in his remediation responsibilities within the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate, resulting in substantial benefits to the agency. As NASA Remediation Program manager for NASA Stennis, Boffenmyer’s work is integral to the Environmental and Health Services Office achieving the NASA Stennis and NASA missions. In conjunction with management of field operations, the Pottsville, Pennsylvania, native has demonstrated outstanding program management, with all audits of the NASA Stennis program proving successful.

Thomas Meredith of Slidell, Louisiana, received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for his efforts as deputy chief engineer at NASA Stennis. During his tenure, the Enterprise, Alabama native has made substantial improvements to the management of test facility hardware in support of the center’s rocket propulsion test operations. Meredith’s leadership and dedication in the management of rocket propulsion test hardware have contributed to two areas of agency emphasis, the sustainment and modernization of mission-critical facilities and the employment of digital technologies to change and improve a process, product, or capability.

Kris Mobbs of Woolmarket, Mississippi, received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for his efforts as software engineer in the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate to lead development of the NASA Data Acquisition Software suite for the acquisition, displaying, and recording of critical data during daily and test activities. Mobbs has led in identifying and implementing new capabilities of the software suite and in development of software packages to help increase the reliability of test data and performance of the test team. As a direct outcome of his leadership, use of the software has expanded to all the NASA Stennis-operated test facilities.

Ryan Seals of Carriere, Mississippi, received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for his contributions to the NASA Stennis propulsion test mission. Since beginning his career with NASA in 2016, the Poplarville, Mississippi, native has proven his expertise regarding test stand components and systems, contributing to the team responsible for testing the RS-25 engine that powers NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Seals also provided depth for the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2) team in preparation for hot fire testing of the SLS core stage. He also has supported commercial partner testing at the E Test Complex.

Four NASA Stennis employees received NASA’s Early Career Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to government employees for unusual and significant performance during the first 10 years of an individual’s career in support of the agency.

Huy Nguyen of Slidell, Louisana, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for his contributions as the facility controls engineer in the Electrical Test Operations Branch in the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. In that role, Nguyen has supported the daily operations of the High Pressure Gas Facility and High Pressure Industrial Water Facility, which provide critical support to test complex propulsion activities. Among his contributions, Nguyen was instrumental to the success of upgrades, analysis, and practice runs to mitigate any risks during Green Run testing of the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage at NASA Stennis.

Kevin Oramous of Slidell, Louisiana, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for his contributions to propulsion test activities and support facilities to directly advance NASA’s rocket propulsion test mission. The New Orleans native began his career at NASA Stennis in 2019 in the Mechanical Operations Branch of the NASA Stennis engineering and Test Directorate, working in the site’s E Test Complex and High Pressure Gas Facility, using his expertise to support operation and systems projects and activities. Oramous also has supported RS-25 testing, propellant and commodity management, and the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-2) during the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage testing.

Jason Richard of Mandeville, Louisiana, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for contributions to NASA’s support of commercial propulsion test partners at NASA Stennis. As project engineer at the E-1 Test Facility, Richard ensured completion of facility design, construction, and activation phases for the Relativity Space Aeon-R Thrust Chamber Assembly test project, while maintaining rigorous quality and safety standards. Working with the NASA Stennis Strategic Business Development Office, Richard has helped bridge the propulsion testing and business development teams and worked to implement the office’s information technology strategy.

Bradley Tyree of Picayune, Mississippi, received the NASA Early Career Achievement Medal for his work in the Mechanical Operations Branch in the NASA Stennis Engineering and Test Directorate. Tyree has provided leadership and technical expertise to key projects, including E Test Complex support of SLS (Space Launch System) core stage testing at NASA Stennis. Since being assigned to support RS-25 testing, his knowledge of propellant handling techniques, technical system maintenance, and test processes have proved invaluable and enabled his progression as a propellant transfer engineer and RS-25 test conductor.

One NASA Stennis employee received NASA’s Silver Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to any government or non-government employee for a stellar achievement that supports one or more of NASA’s core values, when it is deemed to be extraordinarily important and appropriate to recognize such achievement in a timely and personalized manner.

Gregg De Felicibus of Pass Christian, Mississippi, received the NASA Silver Achievement Medal for displaying NASA’s core values of safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion while carrying out his work as a contracting officer in the Office of Procurement in support of advancing Space Exploration and NASA’s strategic goals. He has been responsible for the award and management of five critical services contracts valued at over $18.6 million. He has served as an advisor and mentor, has supported the NASA Stennis Small Business Office in achieving its socio-economic goals, has administered over $43 million in contracts, and has negotiated over $5.7 million in cost savings.

For information about NASA’s Stennis Space Center, visit:

Stennis Space Center – NASA

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LaToya Dean