For Release: November 16, 1994

David B. Drachlis
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Ala. 35803
(Phone: 205/544-0034)

Release No.: 94-110

Marshall’s Littles to Lead Space Shuttle and Space Station

Dr. J. Wayne Littles, deputy director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and NASA Chief Engineer, has been named Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Flight at NASA HQ. In this position, he will be responsible for all Space Shuttle operations, Space Station development and operations, and the activities of Marshall Space Flight Center, Ala.; Johnson Space Center, Texas; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; and the Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Littles succeeds retired Marine Corps Major General Jerimiah W. Pearson who announced his resignation today.

In announcing the appointment of Littles to the post of Space Flight Associate Administrator, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin said, "Dr. Littles brings great experience and leadership to the Office of Space Flight and will continue to play a major role to ensure America’s leadership in space, and to help NASA build an exciting future on this new frontier."

Goldin accepted Pearson’s resignation and praised his service. "Jed Pearson’s contributions to the Office of Space Flight have been significant," Goldin said. "Numerous contributions to Shuttle safety and performance have been made and we wish General Pearson all the success in the future."

"These past two-and-one-half years at NASA have been tremendously rewarding for me," Pearson said. "We’ve made great strides in the human space flight program during that time. We have found new efficiencies in the Space Shuttle budget while maintaining our strong commitment to safety. We’ve brought Russia into the redesigned Space Station partnership. And we’ve set the stage for an exciting future in human space flight. I’m extremely proud of our accomplishments and gratified to have had the opportunity to lead this talented group of people at NASA. Now I’m looking forward to new challenges and opportunities."

The resignation of Pearson and the appointment of Littles are effective immediately; however, Pearson has agreed to remain at NASA Headquarters to provide for an orderly transition period.