NASA Armstrong Center Director David McBride to Retire in June

NASA announced that David McBride, director of the Armstrong Flight Research Center, plans to retire by the end of June. As director, he leads a field center that conducts carries out high-risk atmospheric flight research and test projects.

McBride was appointed to his role in January 2010, according to his profile on the NASA website. He is involved in all aspects of management, strategy and operations.

Under his leadership, Armstrong completed the flight evaluation of the experimental X-48B/C aircraft and demonstrated Orion’s launch abort system, NASA said Tuesday. The agency plans to use Orion for its Artemis mission to return humans to the moon’s surface.

McBride previously served as Armstrong’s associate director for programs and projects, a role that oversaw programs in exploration, science and aeronautics.

He joined NASA as an intern 35 years ago. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that McBride serves as an inspiration for people hoping to work at the agency.

Nelson added that McBride’s work has “improved the lives of people throughout the country—and will for generations to come.”

Brad Flick, deputy director at Armstrong, will serve as acting director upon McBride’s retirement. NASA said it will soon begin the formal process of identifying a permanent successor to McBride.

The agency also announced a leadership shakeup at the Glenn Research Center. Jimmy Kenyon, a top official in the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA’s headquarters, will serve as Glenn’s acting director.

Dawn Shaible, director of the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Langley Research Center, will serve as Kenyon’s acting deputy.