NASA Kennedy Space Center's John J. "Tip" Talone Jr. was awarded the prestigious rank of Distinguished Executive in a ceremony on the grounds of the White House.

The award is presented each year to a small group of career senior executives within the federal government who have demonstrated outstanding leadership accomplishments and a personal commitment to public service in some of our nation's most critical postions.

Talone serves as Director of the International Space Station (ISS) and Payloads Processing Directorate at KSC. He is responsible for the management and integration of ISS assembly elements pre-flight support ground processing, the testing and verification of elements prior to launch, and on-orbit assembly. He also manages ISS research/science testing and serves as the KSC primary interface for ISS international partners and Shuttle payload scientists.

"KSC is so proud of Tip and his many accomplishments," said KSC Director Jim Kennedy. "Tip's excellent leadership skills, extensive knowledge and commitment to the Space Program demonstrate that he is truly a distinguished executive."

Talone began his NASA career in 1965 and has held several key managerial positions. During his early years with the Agency, Talone served in various capacities in the Saturn/Apollo lunar landing, Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz programs. During his assignment to the Space Shuttle Program, he served as launch pad manager, Shuttle operations integration manager and flow director for Space Shuttles Columbia, Discovery and Endeavour. He also served as special assistant to the KSC Director. Talone was appointed a member of the Senior Executive Service in 1997 and has served in his current position since May 2000.

Throughout his career, Talone has received numerous awards, including two NASA Exceptional Service Awards, the prestigious Silver Snoopy Award, the National Space Club Eagle Manned Success Award, KSC Equal Opportunity Award, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Presidential Rank Meritorious Executive, Aviation Week and Space Technology's Laurel Award, Rotary Club Stellar Award, Spaceflight Awareness Leadership Award, and most recently the 2004 Dr. Kurth H. Debus Award.

Talone is a graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School in Knoxville, Tenn., and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He is the son of the late Geraldine Johnson of Oak Ridge, Tenn., and the late John Talone Sr. of Knoxville.

Talone resides in Indialantic, Fla., with his wife, Cindy, and step-daughters Audra and Sarah Tamblyn. His stepson, Spc. Phillip Tamblyn, is with the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, N.C.