Executive Council

Dr. Laurie Leshin, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory since May 2022, is a distinguished geochemist and space scientist with extensive leadership experience in academia and government, including senior NASA positions.

Larry D. James has served as Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer since 2013. As the Laboratory's Chief Executive Officer, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of JPL's resources and activities.

Dave Gallagher is currently Associate Director for Strategic Integration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previously, he was the Director and Deputy Director for Astronomy, Physics, and Space Technology and before that he was manager of JPL's Advanced Optical Systems Program Office.

Leslie Livesay, JPL’s Associate Director for Flight Projects and Mission Success, has over 30 years of experience in autonomous space exploration. Previously, she was the director for Astronomy and Physics.

Jan Chodas is the Director for Planetary Science. Prior to this role, Jan was the Project Manager for the Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa, with the goal of exploring Europa’s habitability and looking for the ingredients for life.

Suzanne Dodd is JPL’s Director for the Interplanetary Network Directorate (IND). The IND is the home organization of NASA’s Deep Space Network and Multimission Ground Systems & Services programs. Dodd is also the Project Manager for the Voyager Interstellar Mission, a role she has had since 2010.

Marc Goettel is the Director for Business Operations at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Prior to this assignment, he was the Deputy CFO and Deputy Director for Business Operations.

Mr. James Graf is Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Director for the Earth Science and Technology Directorate. He manages the development and operations of the Earth science space and airborne missions, the advancements in Earth science research and applications, and the creation of relevant science data systems.

Michael Greene is Director for Communications and Education at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this capacity, he oversees the laboratory's multiple communications activities in media relations, informal and formal education, television, Internet, internal communications and public engagement services.

Dr. Charles Norton was appointed as the acting JPL Chief Technologist in June 2022.

Cozette M. Hart is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Director for Human Resources Directorate. Hart is responsible for developing and delivering programs and services that help attract, reward, develop, engage and retain a highly skilled, diverse workforce of more than 5,000 employees.

Sammy Kayali is the Chief Financial Officer and Manager of Laboratory Operations Integration at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was appointed this position in July 2020.

Beth Apillanes was appointed Interim Chief Information Officer and Director For, Information and Technology Solutions Directorate in January 2022, after serving as Deputy Director since April 2020.

Jennifer Lum became Caltech’s General Counsel on September 1, 2019.  Lum joined Caltech in 2010 as Deputy General Counsel.

Martin (Marty) Herman is the Director for the Office of Safety and Mission Success at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was appointed to this position in July 2022. Prior to this, he served as the Division Manager for Instruments.

Keyur Patel was appointed as the Director for Astronomy and Physics in April 2021. He has been a member of the professional staff at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for almost 35 years and has served over 10 years in executive management at JPL.

Dr. Mark Simons is Chief Scientist for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this role, he is responsible for leadership of the scientific and research community at JPL, and serves as the focal point for interactions with universities and the external research community.