Executive Council

Michael M. Watkins became Director of JPL on July 1, 2016. In this role he also serves as a vice president of the California Institute of Technology, which staffs and manages JPL for NASA.

Larry D. James was appointed Deputy Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in August 2013. At JPL he is the Laboratory's Chief Operating Officer responsible to the Director for the day-to-day management of JPL's resources and activities. This includes managing the Laboratory's solar system exploration, Mars, astronomy, physics, Earth science, interplanetary network programs, and all business operations.

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.

Bobby Braun joined the JPL leadership team in January 2020 as Director for Planetary Science. In this capacity, Dr. Braun has leadership and management responsibility for the portfolio of planetary science formulation, technology, implementation and operations activities at the Lab.

Suzanne Dodd is JPL’s Director for the Interplanetary Network Directorate. She has over 30 years of experience in spacecraft operations, serving as project manager roles on the Voyager Interstellar Mission, the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array.

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. Jim Graf is NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Director for the Earth Science and Technology Directorate. He has been at JPL for more than 40 years. He is responsible for the development and operations of many Earth science space and airborne missions.

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. Fred Hadaegh was appointed JPL’s Chief Technologist on November 1, 2016. Previously he spent four years as JPL’s Associate Chief Technologist.

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.

Randi Levin is an innovative and transformational business and technology executive with proven experience in government, the private sector domestically and internationally, consulting and many other industries.

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

Rick Nybakken is the Director for the Office of Safety and Mission Success at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Before becoming Director, he served as the Deputy Director for the Office of Safety and Mission Success.

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.