VOLUME 24 • ISSUE 2 • FEBRUARY 2022

Administration 

Building Completes 

Eighth Decade

Page 2

ARMD Meets 

Milestones

Page 3

Engineer 

Connects Career 

and Hobby

Page 8

Celebrating 

Successes in 2021

Pages 4–5
On Dec. 14, 1942, the new Administration (Ad) Building opened at the 

NACA’s Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (today, NASA Glenn). The 

Ad Building, located just inside the main gate, has been a hub for center 

leadership, employee activities, visitor interaction, and communications 

for nearly 80 years.

Manager Raymond Sharp and his immediate staff were previously 

stationed in an old farmhouse nearby, while the other employees had 

occupied temporary offices inside the hangar. The primary function of the 

Ad Building was to, and continues to, provide a base for center leadership.

It has also been the location for workforce events such as holiday 

gatherings and celebrations. NASA Glenn’s Ad Building will be a central 

meeting point for years to come.

To learn more about the Ad Building’s history and to view historic photos, 

visit https://go.nasa.gov/3mt4O1T. 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

Assistant Editor: Adam Schabel, ATS, 

 216–433–2888

Design: Rhys Sampson, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

A Pause for Reflection

As we begin another exciting year in 

support of space exploration and look 

forward to the Artemis I launch, we 

must not forget those who paved the 

path to get us where we are today. In 

January, we paused to remember the 

fallen heroes of the Apollo 1, Challenger, 

and Columbia crews. We honor their 

ultimate sacrifice by integrating the 

lessons learned and a culture of safety 

and excellence into everything we do at 

Glenn. Whether conducting research 

in our laboratories or developing and 

testing technologies and flight hardware 

in our facilities, we must stay vigilant 

and engaged and be willing to speak up 

when necessary for safety and mission 

success.

Thank you for your dedication to a 

strong safety culture at Glenn.

DIRECTOR’S

SAFETY CORNER

NASA History

Administration Building 

Completes Its Eighth Decade

With little fanfare, NACA employees moved into the brand-new Ad Building on 

Monday morning, Dec. 14, 1942. 

From the very beginning, the Ad Building’s large auditorium provided a central location for 

employees to meet for technical meetings, award ceremonies, and social affairs. Here, 

Director Raymond Sharp addresses graduates of the laboratory’s Apprentice Program in 1952.

GRC-1942-C-01186

GRC-1952-C-29134

Photos from GRC Image Archives
Pearce’s visit to both Lewis Field and the Neil A. 

Armstrong Test Facility included meetings with leadership, 

research updates, tours, and discussions on projects 

with several early career hires. Former Deputy Center 

Director Susan Motil, Glenn Aeronautics Director Timothy 

McCartney, Acting Deputy Mary Reveley, and other Glenn 

leaders led and/or participated in the visit. 

During a virtual town hall meeting, Pearce reflected on 

2021 accomplishments and shared goals for 2022 and 

beyond. He applauded employees’ dedication in forging 

through challenges during the year to complete tasks.

“By and large, we [ARMD] met our milestones,” said 

Pearce. “This is a testament of our workforce during the 

pandemic.” 

Pearce provided an ARMD overview that focused on goals 

relating to NASA’s global, sustainable, and transformative 

vision for aviation in the 21st century. Areas of highlight 

included ultra-efficient transport, future airspace, highspeed commercial flight, and advanced air mobility.

Pearce introduced ARMD staff—Deputy AA Steven 

Clarke; Deputy AA for Programs Dr. Ed Waggoner; and 

Deputy AA for Policy Jon Montgomery—who joined him 

on the visit. They participated in the question-and-answer 

portion of the meeting. 

Pearce also recognized Glenn’s Dr. Jamesa Stokes, who 

is spearheading NASA’s Early Career Network (ECN) for 

Aeronautics. The network promotes communication and 

collaboration among NASA early careerists. He said ECN 

is creating opportunities for interaction that has never 

been done before.

FEBRUARY 2022

3

Pearce Looks Back and Beyond

On the Cover: 

Natasha Jackson, Space Environments Test Branch (HX5 Sierra), supports 

the development of Dynamic Radioisotope Power Systems. She is pictured 

working on new Stirling heat-to-electric convertors undergoing verification and 

validation testing in the Stirling Research Laboratory. This is one of several 

technologies highlighted in the 2021 Year in Review video. (See page 4.)

Photo by Bridget Caswell

Glenn Director of Aeronautics Timothy McCartney, left, and ARMD staff, top to bottom, Clarke, Dr. Waggoner, 

Montgomery, and Pearce, participated in the virtual all-hands meeting.

GRC-2021-04394

GRC-2021-C-03287

Photo by Marvin Smith

Last December, Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) Associate 

Administrator (AA) Robert Pearce and his staff connected with NASA Glenn 

employees through several in-person and virtual activities.
4

During Glenn’s 2021 Virtual Holiday Town Hall on 

Dec. 13, 2021, Center Director Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis 

led a celebration that highlighted many activities and 

accomplishments achieved during our 80th anniversary year. 

The Glenn Band kicked off the event by setting the holiday 

mood with its rendition of “I Want a Hippopotamus for 

Christmas,” followed by a welcome from Pérez-Davis. She 

invited employees to join her in 30 seconds of silence in 

remembrance of Glenn employees we lost in 2021. 

The town hall featured several 2021 Year in Review videos. 

In addition to a video that highlighted space and aeronautics 

achievements, others centered on STEM-focused outreach 

with students at various levels, collaborations and lecture 

NASA Glenn’s 80th anniversary year 

would make our founders proud. 

series, awards, senior leader farewells and welcomes, and 

accolades from NASA and local community professionals. 

“Despite challenges we continue to face; we are moving 

forward!” Pérez-Davis said. 

During the town hall, she shared slides on significant 

activities and events scheduled for the fiscal year’s first and 

second quarters. She also presented Glenn’s top priorities. 

(See Glenn’s 2022 Top Priorities, page 5.)

Glenn’s Associate Director for Strategy Charles Cockrell 

briefed employees on the updated Glenn Strategic Plan. He 

said the plan is our commitment to a strong and vibrant future.

Directorates added humor with live and recorded year-end 

messages and holiday wishes. 

Deputy Director Susan Motil, who retired on Dec. 31, 2021, 

thanked senior staff for their support and shared heartfelt 

wishes to the Glenn family for their continued success. “You 

made it easy for me because of your dedication,” she said. 

The town hall culminated with a pictorial collage thanking 

employees for their commitment and hard work in 2021. 

By Doreen B. Zudell

Right: Glenn completed construction on the Research Support 

Building, an innovative new building designed to provide a flexible, 

inclusive, and collaborative workplace.

Glenn’s S–3B Viking research 

aircraft retired to the San Diego 

Air and Space Museum last July.

International Space Station ground operators ignited the fifth 

Spacecraft Fire Safety Experiment, Saffire-V.

GRC-2021-CN-00002 Photo by NASA

GRC-2021-C-01744

Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2011-C-00669

Photo by Marvin Smith

2021 Year in Review

Glenn Continues Moving Forward 
5

FEBRUARY 2022

The NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed at Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility 

performed work on sustainable aviation.

GRC-2021-C-03514 Photo by Bridget Caswell

Glenn’s 2022 Top Priorities

SPACE

• Artemis I Launch/Operations Support

• Artemis II Orion/European Space Module

(ESM–2)

• Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and

Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS)

• Radioisotope Power Systems

• Communication Services Project. 

Aeronautics

• Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC)

• Electrified Aircraft Power Systems and Thermal

Management Technology Development

• Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration

(EPFD).

Institution 

• Enable Future of Work possibilities and Digital

Transformation

• Invest in Institutional Infrastructure to maintain

operational readiness for Glenn’s world-class

facilities and capabilities

• Safe reactivation of key facilities, test rigs, and

laboratories

• Leverage human resources hiring flexibilities to

attract talent and skills at NASA.

External Partnerships

• Successful completion of tests at NASA’s

Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in support of

commercial partners

• Develop partnership opportunities that promote

innovation, NASA technology commercialization,

and small business growth within Ohio and

the nation

• Enhance communication and collaboration

with industry, academia, government, and

other federal research laboratories throughout

the Midwest region.
John P. Kelley, 103, a 1979 retiree and an Air Force veteran, died Nov. 18, 2021. Kelley joined the center in 1949 

as an electrical engineer in the Research Engineering Branch. He later served as an electrical design engineer. 

Kelley designed electrical control systems for rocket engine test facilities both at Lewis Field and Plum Brook 

Station (now Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility). He met his wife, Jean, at the center and was active in the center’s 

golf leagues. 

Kevin D. Roberts, 61, a 2019 retiree with 30 years of service, died Dec. 7, 2021. Roberts was a mechanic in the 

Test Installations Division for over 20 years. He graduated from the center’s Apprentice Program in 1994 as an 

electronic systems mechanic. Roberts spent most of the 1990s in the Engine Research Branch before moving to 

Aircraft Operations and working in the hangar in the 2000s. 

Robert L. Wells, 68, a 2009 retiree with 38 years of service, died Dec. 17, 2021. Wells began his career as a high 

school student in the Neighborhood Youth Corps program in 1969. He became a NASA employee in the Environmental 

Health Office. Wells graduated as a journeyman from the center’s Apprentice Program and worked as an instrument 

maker in the Research Instrumentation Branch. In 1997, he attended the New Leader Program in the Graduate School, 

USDA. Wells was a lifetime member of Blacks In Government, where he held various leadership positions. He retired 

as chief of the Research Instrumentation Branch. Wells received numerous individual and group achievement awards 

throughout his career.

Kelley Roberts Wells

6

More Than a Memory

Kerka Kowalski Potapczuk

Retirements

Joseph Kerka, Fabrication Division, Facilities, Test, 

and Manufacturing Directorate, retired Dec. 31, 2021, 

with 36 years of NASA service.

Robert Kowalski, Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility, 

retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 41 years of NASA service. 

Jack Oldenburg, Test Facility Management Branch, 

Management Integration Division, Facilities, Test and 

Manufacturing Directorate, retired Jan. 1, 2022, with 

41 years of NASA service.

Mark G. Potapczuk, Icing Branch, Propulsion 

Division, Research and Engineering Directorate, 

retired Dec. 31, 2021, with 34 years of NASA service. 
FEBRUARY 2022

7

NASA Glenn’s Fitness Center kicked off the new year by sharing 

ways to create healthy habits in 2022. Fitness specialists Heather 

Mueller and Bob Laws hosted the Fitness Center’s first Virtual 

Wellness Connection of the year “Lifestyle Changes for You and 

Your Family” on Jan 5. Mueller shared quick, sustainable, and 

simple ways to get started towards a healthy lifestyle. Some of 

the many tips shared included eating more fruits and vegetables, 

spending more time outside, increasing water intake, preparing 

more home-cooked meals, and aiming for 7,000 steps per day. 

Mueller added that starting small goes a long way towards 

loftier health and fitness goals. The 30-minute monthly Wellness 

Connection series, which began in 2020, covers a variety of 

health-related topics. For more information, to join Wellness 

Connection, and for past recordings, visit https://www.grc.nasa.

gov/smad/medical-fitness/.

For more information on upcoming events, visit https://nasa.sharepoint.com/sites/grc/SitePages/calendar.aspx

Deadline for the next calendar

section is Wednesday, Feb. 16,

noon. News and feature stories 

require additional time.

Each month the Glenn Library staff 

hosts Information Café, a forum to 

highlight a library or information 

resource. Join them on the third 

Wednesday of each month from 

11–11:45 a.m. On Feb. 16, 

representatives from Elsevier will 

share how to use their API in the Glenn 

Library subscribed Elsevier products 

(Engineering Village, Scopus, and 

Science Direct). Check Inside Glenn for 

the link. 

POC: robin.n.pertz@nasa.gov

INFORMATION CAFÉ

In these challenging times, 

Perseverance is needed on Earth as 

well as on Mars! The NASA Prayer 

Group has several prayer times and 

Bible studies, and they are always open 

to new members. Visit their website 

and check out the list of ongoing virtual 

Christian activities. Visit https://www.

grc.nasa.gov/prayergroup/.

POC: david.m.defelice@nasa.gov

NASA PRAYER GROUP

Emergency Management Office staff 

will conduct a mass notification voice 

test at building 15 on Wednesday, 

March 2, at Lewis Field. An audible 

siren test will be conducted on the “all 

clear” tone on Saturday, March 5.

POC: allen.r.turner@nasa.gov

OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

Start 2022 With a Healthy Lifestyle

Do You Know This Person?

Glenn’s Logistics and Technical Information Division 

needs your help identifying people, places, and 

research from archived images. If you recognize a 

photo placed here, email GRC-ITC@mail.nasa.gov.

To ensure your email reaches the right individuals, 

please enter “DYKTP” into the subject line. 

Although we cannot respond to individual emails, 

please know your participation is appreciated!

GRC-1990-C-05146

Attention Employees and Retirees

Honoring

America’s

Presidents

Monday, Feb. 21
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

McVetta Connects 

Love for NASA Career 

and Auto Racing 

How does managing a NASA facility and racing handbuilt cars come together? Just ask Mike McVetta. He 

uses his engineering skills for both.

Glenn’s McVetta began racing at 9 years old, and 

years later, he put his love for mechanics to the test 

by racing hand-built cars and working as the facility 

manager for Glenn’s Electric Propulsion and Power 

Laboratory (EPPL).

Driving a variety of race cars throughout adolescence, 

McVetta even competed against international drivers 

while in college. After earning a degree in mechanical 

engineering from the University of Toledo, he started 

as a test engineer at NASA.

Now, McVetta puts the pedal to the metal overseeing 

the EPPL’s 40 staff members and coordinating testing 

at the facility. The massive lab’s 25 chambers can 

subject thrusters, which propel spacecraft, to thermal 

and vacuum conditions that mimic the environment of 

space.

To learn more about how McVetta finds connections 

between being a NASA facility manager and a 

champion race car driver, and to view a highlight video, 

visit https://go.nasa.gov/3lq411e.

McVetta, left, works with Edward Reehorst inside the Glenn 

Extreme Environments Rig, GEER, test chamber.

McVetta and his family celebrate after a race.

GRC-2013-C-04415

GRC-2022-CN-00001

Photo by Michelle Murphy

Photo courtesy of Mike McVetta