VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 6 • JUNE 2022

Center Director

to Retire

Page 4

Strategic Action

Plan Rolls Out

Page 5

CFC’s

Face of Change

Page 6

Return of the Robots!

Pages 2–3
AeroSpace Frontiers

is an official publication of Glenn Research 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. It is published the second 

Friday of each month by the Office of 

Communications in the interest of the 

Glenn workforce, retirees, government 

officials, business leaders, and the general 

public. 

Submit short articles and calendar items 

to the editor at doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov. 

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, ATS, 

 216–433–5317

Design: Rhys Sampson, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Keeping Each 

Other Safe

June is National Safety Month, 

an annual observance promoted 

by the National Safety Council 

and participating organizations 

to help “keep each other safe 

from the workplace to any place.” 

Throughout June, weekly resources 

and articles related to topics that 

focus on workplace impairments; 

injury prevention; and slips, 

trips, and falls will be posted on 

Inside Glenn and can be shared 

at staf f meetings. Several new 

employees and interns have joined 

our workforce and many of us 

have been away for a while. Let’s 

be mindful to keep an eye on 

workplace safety for everyone’s 

benefit.

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

The Metrobots from Metro Early College High School, a Glenn-sponsored 

team, won the Gracious Professional Award. 

GRC-2022-C-01257 Photos by Bridget Caswell

Return of the Battling Robots:

NASA Volunteers

Support Students

When the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)

Robotics Buckeye Regional Competition returned to Cleveland in March for the

first time since 2019, nobody was more excited than the high school student

competitors. They came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York with their robots 

to vie for a spot in the international championship. Joy also beamed on the faces 

of NASA Glenn’s volunteers and mentors who helped make the competition possible. 

“I love seeing all the students here learning and meeting friends. The atmosphere 

is fantastic,” said Herb Schilling, Information and Applications Office. “You meet 

awesome young people and see them grow. You build a robot, code a robot, 

everything about it is great.” 

Schilling, who mentored two Cleveland area teams, was one of dozens of Glenn 

employees who served as mentors, judges, referees, and other volunteers. 

The center supported the event through grants and helped coordinate it while 

sponsoring nine Ohio teams. 

Students worked with their mentors for six weeks to design a robot using a kit of 

parts and a standard set of rules. At the regional competition, teams competed in 

a game called RAPID REACT, inspired by the future of high-speed transportation. 

The robots began on a tarmac and raced to shoot balls into an upper and lower 

hub before returning to their hangars and climbing as many rungs as possible. 

Head referee Erin Hubbard, Facilities and Testing Division, had a close-up view 

of the action. “I like being a referee because I enjoy seeing the competition. It’s 

basically the best seat in the house being right next to the field,” she said. 

Hubbard got hooked on FIRST Robotics 20 years ago as a student at The Ohio 

State University mentoring a high school team. She has remained involved since 

then, but this year was special because FIRST named her the Buckeye Regional’s 

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. 

“I was surprised and honored,” Hubbard said. “I would volunteer regardless of the 

award, but it was nice to be appreciated on my 20th year of service to FIRST.”
JUNE 2022

On the Cover: 

Glenn’s Erin Hubbard, who served as the 

head referee, was named Outstanding 

Volunteer of the Year during the 2022 

FIRST Robotics Competition at Cleveland 

State’s Wolstein Center. 

Photo by Bridget Caswell

GRC-2022-C-01247

Below: Glenn’s Zeyad Nooman, research lab mechanic apprentice, 

helped students fix their robots as a volunteer in the machine shop 

at the regional competition. 

Schilling (center) mentors the AstroCircuits, a team of students 

from Cleveland’s John Marshall School of Information Technology. 

GRC-2022-C-01220

GRC-2022-C-01229

3

Hubbard emphasized that hands-on experience and 

competition play an important role in engaging students and 

preparing them for STEM careers. 

“Being in the classroom, you learn about the math and the 

physics behind these things,” Hubbard said. “But when you 

actually get involved with a project that has deadlines and 

physical tasks to be completed, it’s the application of all the 

things you’ve learned.” 

Schilling said the competition also helps build the students’ 

confidence: “They’re doing electrical work, using pretty 

sophisticated coding techniques, drilling holes, and it’s like 

‘hey I can do this stuff.’” 

Along with confidence and hands-on experience, sometimes 

the students need a little extra help. In this fast-paced 

competition, unexpected mechanical problems can eliminate 

a team. When the students cannot fix a problem, they head 

to the machine shop, sponsored by Sierra Lobo and run by 

Glenn support service contractors in Glenn’s Fabrication 

Division. The shop is equipped with a drill press, welder, 

band saw, mill, and lathe.

“It’s great to see the expressions on their faces when they 

come to us for help and we make a part for them or we fix 

their parts,” said Csongor Hollohazy, Fabrication Division. 

“They’re so elated to put it back on their robot. They’re back 

in business.”

Seven teams from the Buckeye Regional qualified to advance 

to the International Championships in Houston, and two NASA 

Glenn-sponsored teams received special honors. Though they 

did not compete in the championship, the Metrobots from 

Metro Early College High School in Columbus, Ohio, 

won the Gracious Professionalism Award, and the BotCats 

from Grandview Heights High School in Columbus won the 

Judge’s Award. 

The annual global tournament is organized by the nonprofit 

FIRST to encourage students to embark on STEM careers. 

NASA and the Office of STEM Engagement have supported 

the FIRST Robotics for many years by providing grants 

to high school teams and sponsoring FIRST regional 

competitions. For more information, visit https://go.nasa.

gov/3FH3UY7.

by Jan Wittry
NEWS AND EVENTS

During a town hall update on May 23,

Deputy Associate Administrator for 

Business Operations Casey Swails joined 

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis in 

announcing that Dr. James “Jimmy” Kenyon 

will serve as acting director and Dawn 

Schaible as acting deputy director for NASA 

Glenn. They will take leadership upon 

Pérez-Davis’ retirement on June 17 and 

until permanent selections have been made.

Acting Center Director and

Acting Deputy Named

4

Center Director to Retire

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis has announced plans to retire 

from the agency on June 17.

“Marla’s four decades of service to NASA have made a remarkable 

impact on critical agency goals and missions in aeronautics, human 

exploration and, of course, on Glenn Research Center. Her trailblazing 

legacy is the members of the Artemis Generation she has inspired to 

believe they, too, can work for, and lead, at NASA. I wish her well in 

her future endeavors,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Over her 38-year career at Glenn, Pérez-Davis held several positions, 

including deputy center director from 2016 to 2020, and deputy 

director of the Research and Engineering Directorate from 2014 to 

2016. Earlier in her career, Pérez-Davis served as the chief of the 

Electrochemistry Branch. She also is the recipient of numerous 

accolades, including the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, 

Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives, and 2021 Hispanic 

Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation Engineer of 

the Year.

For more information on Pérez-Davis’ NASA background, visit 

https://go.nasa.gov/3ywtAFg.

See Inside Glenn for details on her retirement celebration. 

Dr. Pérez-Davis

GRC-2022-C-00563 Photo by Marvin Smith
Center leadership held a hybrid town hall on April 19 to highlight 

and explain the recently released 2022 Glenn Strategic Action 

Plan (SAP). 

Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis welcomed employees 

and explained that the center has worked diligently, under the 

leadership of Acting Associate Director of Strategy Charles 

Cockrell, to revise the previous action plan that was released in 

2018. The new version of the plan is designed for accessibility, 

flexibility, and meeting the needs of our hybrid workplace. 

She encouraged employees to familiarize themselves with 

the different aspects of the SAP as everyone will have an 

opportunity to engage in various aspects of the document.

“This plan positions the center for success,” said Pérez-Davis. 

The event featured presentations by senior leaders and 

panelists. A mission-focused panel discussion centered 

on Glenn’s strategic objectives in aeronautics and space 

exploration and how our core competencies will evolve to meet 

these objectives. Panelists included Cockrell, Timothy McCarthy, 

Aeronautics; Dr. Ajay Misra, Research and Engineering; and 

Kathleen Schubert, Space Flight Systems.

An institution-focused panel discussion shared how we are 

positioning our workforce, services, and infrastructure for 

success. Panelists included Dr. Debbie Augustin, Human 

Resources; Seth Harbaugh, Center Operations; Gus Martzaklis, 

Safety and Mission Assurance; and Bryan Smith, Space Flight 

Systems. Following the panel discussions, employees were 

encouraged to provide feedback to ensure that everyone has an 

opportunity to contribute to the success of the plan. 

View the SAP at https://go.nasa.gov/39qg37w.

Town Hall Rolls 

Out Strategic 

Action Plan 

JUNE 2022

5

The institution-focused panel included, left to right: 

Dr. Augustin, Smith, Martzaklis, and Harbaugh.

Cockrell shared highlights of the SAP and participated 

in the mission-focused panel. 

GRC-2022-C-01643

GRC-2022-C-01642 Photos by Jef Janis

Gordon Receives YWCA Award

Gordon

The YWCA of Greater Cleveland has chosen Robyn N. Gordon, director of Center Operations, for 

a 2022 Woman of Achievement Award. Gordon was recognized for her work at Glenn and service 

with local charities. This award is presented to a select group of Northeast Ohio women who have 

achieved extraordinary accomplishments through career success, community service, leadership, 

mentoring, and dedication to YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. To 

learn more about the Women of Achievement Award, click here. 
6

Save the Date!

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On-site at Lewis Field

Retirees welcome!

Watch for registration details in the

July AeroSpace Frontiers. 

POC: betsy.e.lavelle@nasa.gov

Employees Became the Face of Change

Participation in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a 

proud tradition at NASA Glenn. 

Glenn’s 2021 CFC drive continued the legacy of making a meaningful 

difference in the lives of those in need. Federal employees and 

retirees raised over $269,000, proving that despite lingering 

challenges from the pandemic “You Can Be the Face of Change.” 

“Generating awareness during a virtual campaign can be 

challenging,” said CFC Chairperson Tonya Mitchell. “Yet, directorate 

representatives and key workers across Glenn put in the work and 

creativity needed for a successful campaign that will provide valuable 

services for communities across the country.” 

Due to these efforts, Glenn earned the CFC Agency of the Year award. 

Additionally, Mitchell was nominated for running the 2021 Campaign 

of the Year and as the Most Valuable Volunteer. 

Thank you to everyone that contributed—you made a difference!

Directorate representatives by organizational codes: 

Cheryl Niznick (B), Candice McDonald (C), Ashley Cantor (E), 

Denise Ryant (F), Karen Ault (G), Gina Lauterio (G), Brittny 

Counts (J), Lisa O’Connor (K), Marian Cronin (L), Peter 

Simon (L), Paul Senick (M), Rene Fernandez (Q), 

Aaron Brister (T), Ashley King (V), and Richard Kurak (V). 

Cleveland Federal Executive Board Liaison: Lori Manthey

Roger Luptak, left, and Mitchell, center, from NASA, 

with Andrew Falatic, DFAS, at the Providence House 

for CFC Volunteer Day on Nov. 30, 2021.

Protective Services Office’s Deputy Chief Del 

Simonovich, seated, proudly takes a pie to the face 

from Lt. Ernest Witcher because of the generosity of 

Center Operations Directorate employees during CFC. 

Darrell Williams looks on.

GRC-2022-CN-00025

GRC-2022-CN-00026 Photo by Candice McDonald
JUNE 2022

7

JUNE 2022

More Than a Memory

Dr. Guptill

Rowe

Geye

Irene M. Geye, 95, a 1986 retiree with 

20 years of NASA service, died April 13. 

Geye began her NACA-NASA career in the 

steno pool at age 17. Within months she 

transferred to the Director’s Office and 

became the executive secretary to Director 

Dr. Edward R. Sharp. She left to raise a 

family and later returned as part of the 

ACTS Satellite Project Office. Geye and her 

husband, Richard (a 1979 retiree who died in 

2013), planned many NACA reunions. 

Dr. James D. Guptill, 70, a 2011 retiree 

and 2013 Distinguished Research Associate 

with 31 years of federal service, died 

March 23. Guptill was a mathematician and 

computer scientist. He worked in various 

branches before retiring as a member of 

the International Space Station Electrical 

Power System analysis team. He provided 

expertise to scientists and engineers in 

applied mathematics and coding and was 

instrumental in the development of launch 

collusion probability. He mentored coworkers in various technical disciplines. 

Guptill earned a 1985 Special Achievement 

Award and 1988 Group Achievement Award 

for UNICOS Migration Team.

Neil Rowe, 83, a 1994 retiree with 37 years 

of NASA service, died April 8. He graduated 

from the Apprentice Program in 1961 

and worked as a mechanical engineering 

technician. Rowe made significant 

contributions in hardware design and 

development for space science experiments 

and space technology demonstrations. Some 

of these efforts included work with Centaur, 

Titan-Centaur, Solid Surface Combustion 

Space Shuttle Experiment, and Space 

Acceleration Measurement System. He 

co-authored a technical memorandum on a 

furnace designed to conduct microgravity 

experiments on the space shuttle. 

For more information on upcoming events,

visit https://nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/grc/SitePages/calendar.aspx

Deadline for the next calendar

section is Wednesday, June 15,

noon. News and feature stories 

require additional time.

Visit the Glenn Exchange Store in 

the Research Support Building (164). 

Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from 

Tuesday through Thursday.

POC: lori.a.manthey@nasa.gov

EXCHANGE STORE OPEN

GLENN

HAPPENINGS

The next Information Café will focus on 

a Wiley eBook Collection Demo. Join the 

Library staff on Wednesday, June 15, 

from 11–11:45 a.m. in bldg. 142, room 

188, or on Teams. Check Inside Glenn 

for the link. 

POC: robin.n.pertz@nasa.gov

INFORMATION CAFÉ

Emergency Management Office staff 

will conduct an audible siren test on 

the “Area Evacuation” tone on Saturday, 

July 2, at Lewis Field. A mass notification

voice test will be conducted at building 

3 on Wednesday, July 6.

POC: allen.r.turner@nasa.gov

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Join Shaping Professionals and Relating 

Knowledge (SPARK), the formal oneyear mentoring program for Glenn. 

Applications are due July 15, 2022. 

Contact Kathy Clark, program manager 

for SPARK, with any questions at 

kathy.m.clark@nasa.gov. 

SPARK MENTORING
National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center 

Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility

3597 E. Scheid Road

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

www.nasa.gov

Read AeroSpace Frontiers online at https://www.nasa.gov/glenn/aerospacefrontiers.

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility: 419–621–3333

Connect With Glenn

There are more than 150 buildings at Lewis Field that enable the NASA mission. 

These facilities, whether at low- or full-occupancy, require regular system 

maintenance. 

Wolf Creek Federal Services (WCFS), operated under Glenn’s Facilities 

Management Branch, has ensured the integrity of these facilities throughout the 

NASA COVID-19 Response Framework. WCFS is responsible for maintaining all 

institutional systems such as life safety; water; steam; natural gas; high- and 

low-voltage systems; power dispatch; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning 

(HVAC); plumbing; and carpentry, to name a few. They also provide snow removal 

and landscaping for the 300-acre campus. 

When the center entered Stage 4 of the Response Framework, a crew of WCFS 

essential personnel worked on-site to monitor vital systems within the buildings 

and provide immediate emergency response. Within a few months, staff 

increased to perform necessary preventive maintenance grounds upkeep and 

snow removal in the latter months of 2020. 

In 2021, technicians began addressing system needs associated with an 

increase in approved on-site projects authorized by the Facilities Management 

Team. Along with emergency response and preventative maintenance tasks, the 

team responded to numerous service calls associated with the systems.

Since the staff was needed on-site to perform these functions, it was imperative 

that they observe all COVID–19 protocols. WCFS established two crews 

with multiple start times to ensure better lab coverage and minimize contact 

between employees. Personal protective equipment standards recommended 

by NASA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were also 

implemented, along with social distancing, to ensure no close contact of on-site 

employees. 

WCFS has risen to the challenge by performing their responsibilities safely and 

effectively throughout the pandemic.

Keeping the Center Moving Forward

While many employees transitioned to telework due to the 

pandemic, others remained on-site to ensure a safe and 

secure environment at the center. This column highlights 

these services. 

Left: WCFS’s Dennis Murphy changes the air filter on an HVAC air handler in the 

GRC-2022-C-00399 Photo by Marvin Smith Mission Integration Center.