NASA chooses Keegan as associate deputy administrator

Richard Keegan has been named associate deputy administrator at NASA, taking over for Charles Scales who is retiring after holding the position since April 2007.

According to NASA, Keegan has served as deputy associate administrator of the Mission Support Directorate since its creation in April. For the previous four years he was director of NASA's Office of Program and Institutional Integration. In those roles, he served as the focal point for balancing priorities for mission directorates, mission support offices and agency field centers.

"Rick's extensive experience within the agency and his expertise in diverse areas will help me and the rest of the NASA leadership team continue to make good progress on the agency's challenging objectives," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "I look forward to working closely with him during the exciting times ahead for NASA." 

Since coming to NASA Headquarters in 2002, Keegan has served in senior business management positions in mission directorate and mission support offices. He also worked in a variety of jobs during 21 years at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., NASA Headquarters and Energy Department. He holds degrees in biological sciences and secondary education from the University of Maryland.

The associate deputy administrator assists and supports NASA's administrator and deputy administrator during day-to-day agency operations, across the broad scope of institutional and workforce issues, and with contingency and continuity of operations planning.