Jody Singer announces retirement from NASA
Monday, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville Director Jody Singer announced her retirement. Joseph Pelfrey will take over as the interim Director of the MSFC while the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) searches for a permanent center director. “From becoming the first female center director at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville to leading her team through the successful Artemis I mission, Jody Singer’s leadership has taken space exploration to new heights,” said U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama). “Jody has been a driving force in putting Alabama at the forefront of launch innovation and human spaceflight advancement, continuing a legacy in Huntsville that spans the globe. Alabama is grateful for her 38 years of service and I wish her the very best in her next chapter.” “I know that Marshall Space Flight Center will be in good hands with Joseph Pelfrey as NASA conducts a search for a new center director, and I look forward to the center’s continued contributions to our space exploration under his leadership,” Tuberville added. “During a trailblazing 38-year career at @NASA, Jody Singer has reached for the stars every single day,” said U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) on Twitter. “Alabama is grateful for her service to our nation and her leadership at @NASA_Marshall. Please join me in wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!” “Congratulations, Jody, on a 38-year long career dedicated to servant leadership, innovation, and the future of space exploration,” said Congressman Dale Strong on Twitter. “Your legacy at @NASA_Marshall will continue to inspire generations to come!” Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) congratulated Singer on her retirement. “I want to congratulate Jody on her retirement and immense contribution to the State of Alabama,” Ledbetter said on Twitter. “Under her guidance, we’re on the cusp of sending more astronauts to the moon, and we are sincerely thankful for her service to our country and our state.” “I wish Jody well during her retirement. And I know individuals at the beginning of their career at NASA – and members of the Artemis Generation who dream of working here – will be inspired by Jody’s service, knowing their contributions can help return NASA astronauts to the Moon and prepare us for crewed missions to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “And Joseph Pelfrey is no stranger to Marshall, having joined the center two decades ago as an aerospace engineer. Today, he helps guide Marshall’s broad portfolio of human spaceflight, science, and technology development, which supports missions across NASA. We are confident Joseph is prepared to guide Marshall through this transition.” Singer has served as Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center since September 2018. Singer is a native of Hartselle, Alabama native, and a University of Alabama graduate who has worked for NASA for four decades. Singer had been the interim Director of MSFC for three months before her appointment by then NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine as MSFC’s 14th Director and the first woman to ever hold that position. MSFC is one of NASA’s largest field installations, with nearly 7,000 on- and near-site civil service contractor employees and an annual budget of approximately $4.5 billion. Before being named the interim Director, she served as deputy director since February 2016, assisting former Director Todd May with the daily management of the center’s workforce operations. Singer first went to work for NASA in 1985 as an intern. Over her career, she has worked in the Space Shuttle program, the canceled Ares program, and the Space Launch System, which will return man to the moon for the first time in over 50 years. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
