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Creation Date
2019
Biography
Currently serves as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development in the NASA Headquarters Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. In this role, Bill provides executive leadership and program direction for the development of Exploration Systems; Space Launch System, Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, Exploration Ground Systems Programs, and the overall Systems Integration. Prior to that for the last five years of the Space Shuttle Program, Bill provided executive leadership for the Space Shuttle Program in the role as the Assistant Associate Administrator for Space Shuttle in the Space Operations Mission Directorate in safely executing the last 21 missions following the transition from post-Columbia return-to-flight era through the complete assembly of the international Space Station, as well as the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. He led the Headquarters post-Columbia return-to-flight activities from the contingency response from the moment the accident occurred and directed the response and recovery activities in the days and weeks following the accident.
Mr. Hill holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia [University] Institute of Technology and Masters in Business Administration from Frostburg State University. Mr. Hill is the recipient of the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Service, a NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Space Flight Awareness Silver Snoopy, and numerous other Agency awards.
Biographical Summary
- July 2014 to present: Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development providing executive leadership and programs management for the development of Exploration Systems; Space Launch System, Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and Ground Systems Development and Operations Programs. Projected annual budget of ~$3B.
- February 2011 to present: Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems Development providing executive leadership and programs management for the development of Exploration Systems
- May 2006 to March 2013: Assistant Associate Administrator for Space Shuttle in the Space Operations Mission Directorate providing executive leadership for the Space Shuttle Program with an average annual budget of $3B.
- November 2005 to present: Hurricane Katrina Recovery Manager directing the recovery, repair, and restoration of the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and the Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana with an overall budget of ~$500M.
- August 2002 to May 2006: Senior Integration Manager for Space Shuttle, managing the Headquarters Space Shuttle Office and directed the Return-To-Flight effort following the Columbia accident.
- August 1994 to August 2002: Space Shuttle Operations and Integration Manager in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance leading the agency’s Space Shuttle safety community in various risk management activities including certification of flight readiness.
- May 1988 to August 1994: Lead Safety Engineering with Vitro Corporation on the NASA Headquarters Safety and Mission Assurance Support Engineering Contract supporting agency’s Space Shuttle safety community in various risk management activities including certification of flight readiness.
- December 1979 to May 1988: Various Lead Engineering, Program Management and Systems Integration roles with Vitro Corporation that included Business Development, the Integration of the Surface Launched Cruise Missile System on Surface Ship Combatants, and Design Development of the Ground Launch Cruise Missile System Weapons Control System. Mr. Hill previously served as the lead Space Shuttle Operations Safety Manager in the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance providing support and recommendations to the Associate Administrator for SMA regarding flight rationale.
Career Accomplishments:
- Mr. Hill provided executive leadership to the Space Shuttle Program in safely executing the last 21 missions successfully that transitioned from post-Columbia return-to-flight era through the complete assembly of the international Space Station, as well as the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission.
- Lead the Headquarters post-Columbia return-to-flight activities from the contingency response from the moment the accident occurred. Directed the response and recovery activities in the days and weeks following the accident. Developed the concept for and led the preparation of “NASA’s Implementation Plan for Return to Flight and Beyond”; the NASA written response to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board recommendations and findings.
