William H. Gerstenmaier

William H. Gerstenmaier is the associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. In this position, Gerstenmaier provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all aspects of NASA's human exploration of space programs, as well as the cross-agency space support functions of space communications and space launch vehicles. He directs the continued operation and utilization of the International Space Station, development of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, and strategic guidance and direction for the commercial crew and cargo programs that will provide logistics and crew transportation for the International Space Station.

Gerstenmaier began his NASA career in 1977 at the then Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, performing aeronautical research. He has held various positions of increasing responsibility with NASA including Shuttle/Mir Program operations manager, Space Shuttle Program Integration manager, and the International Space Station Program manager. Appointed associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Directorate in 2005, Gerstenmaier directed the safe completion of the last 21 Space Shuttle missions that witnessed assembly complete of the International Space Station. During this time, he provided programmatic direction for the integration and operation of the International Space Station, space communications, and space launch vehicles.

Gerstenmaier received a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University in 1977 and a master of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo in 1981. In 1992 and 1993, he completed course work for a doctorate in dynamics and control with emphasis in propulsion at Purdue University.