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Executive Council

Dr. Laurie Leshin, Director of JPL

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.

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Larry D. James, Deputy Director

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.

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Dave Gallagher, Associate Director for Strategic Integration

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.

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Leslie Livesay, Associate Director for Flight Projects and Mission Success

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.

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Jan Chodas, Director for Planetary Science

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.

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Suzanne Dodd, Director for the Interplanetary Network Directorate

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.

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James E. Graf, Director for the Earth Science and Technology Directorate

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.

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W. Michael Greene, Director for Communications and Education

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.

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Dr. Thomas A. Cwik, Chief Technologist

Dr. Tom Cwik is Chief Technologist for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In this role, he provides strategic leadership for research in advanced technology and serves as the focal point for technology interactions with NASA, companies, universities and the external research community.

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Cozette M. Hart, Director for the Human Resources Directorate

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.

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Neela Rajendra, Chief Inclusion Officer

Neela Rajendra builds and strengthens bridges from science to action in behavioral and organizational environments, with a focus on identifying and maximizing the ways that diversity, equity, and inclusion help organizations excel.

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Sammy Kayali, Chief Financial Officer, Manager of Laboratory Operations Integration and Acting Director for Business Operations

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

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Beth Apillanes, Interim Chief Information Officer, Director for Information Technology

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.

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Jennifer Lum, Caltech General Counsel

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

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Martin Herman, Director for Safety and Mission Success

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.

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Keyur Patel, Director for Astronomy and Physics Directorate

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.

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Dr. Mark Simons, Chief Scientist

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.

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Charles W. Whetsel, Director for Engineering and Science

Charles Whetsel is Director for Engineering and Science at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Before becoming director, Whetsel served as manager of the Systems Engineering Division. Previously he was the manager of the Program Formulation Office in the Mars Exploration Directorate at JPL.

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Richard Cook, Mars Sample Return Program Manager

Richard Cook is the Mars Sample Return Program Manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In that capacity, he is responsible for coordination and execution of all NASA components of the Mars Sample Return Program.

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