Buchholz has stewardship responsibility for NASA's workforce.

Jeri L. Buchholz became NASA's Chief Human Capital Officer and Assistant Administrator for Human Capital Management on Aug. 1, 2011.

They note that even with the recession, over half the workforce is unsatisfied with their jobs and that the workforce now spans four generations.  These challenges are compounded by rapid technology changes in the workplace.  When taken together, they create enormous challenges for managers in both the public and private sectors.

Cutting edge technology and innovation is more important today than ever before, as NASA develops missions of increasing complexity to understand the Earth, our solar system, and the universe. We spoke with Dr. Bobby Braun, Chief Technologist at NASA, who was a guest on The Business of Government Hour about NASA’s space technology program, its focus on research and development, forging disruptive innovation, and making a difference for the future. I share with you some of his insights from our conversation. 

This issue includes conversations with Mayor Martin O'Malley, Clay Johnson III, and the Nation's First Homeland Security Team; leadership profiles of W. Ralph Basham, Marion Blakey, Johnnie Burton, Rose O.Parkes, Roberto Salazar, Gwendolyn Sykes, Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., and Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.; a forum on Transforming Government; a Management piece on Sean O'Keefe at NASA, and research report abstracts.

The Center is pleased to announce the publication of the Fall/Winter 2010 The Business of Government

U.S. economic competitiveness and a high standard of living have roots in decades of investment in research and innovation. As a premier federal research and development agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has played a vital role in the nation’s innovation engine— continuing to extend its proud tradition of exploration and discovery. Cutting edge technology and innovation is more important today than ever before, as NASA develops missions of increasing complexity to understand the Earth, our solar system, and the universe. We spoke with Dr.

Chief Technologists at NASA

Robert D. Braun was named NASA Chief Technologist by NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden on Feb. 3, 2010. Braun serves as the principal advisor and advocate on matters concerning agency-wide technology policy and programs.

Management of government projects, programs, and portfolios—and the related expenditures of public funds—are major, visible areas of interest and concern. Emphasis on performance improvement in government continues to increase steadily, supported by mandates imposed by government laws and public pressure. Despite a growing understanding of the determinants of success, increasing maturity, and a stream of successful programs and projects, project failures continue at an alarming rate.