Dr. Jeremiah F. Creedon, Director of the NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va., has been named Associate Administrator for the Office of Aerospace Technology at NASA Headquarters in Washington, effective June 15.

Samuel L. Venneri, who has been Associate Administrator for the Enterprise since February 2000, will remain at Headquarters as Chief Technologist, a second position he has held since 1996.

In making the announcement, Administrator Sean O'Keefe praised the work of both men. "Sam has been effectively wearing two hats since 1996, but I felt it was time he focused on a technology strategy for the agency. I feel fortunate that someone of Jerry's caliber was available to step up and assume the duties of Associate Administrator and lead our Office of Aerospace Technology."

In his new position as Associate Administrator, Creedon will be responsible for developing integrated, long-term, innovative agency-level technology for aeronautics and space. He will also be charged for developing new commercial partnerships that exploit technology breakthroughs, and for establishing and maintaining technology core competencies at the NASA field centers.

Creedon, who is Langley's seventh director in the center's 85-year history, began his career there 39 years ago as an engineer. He succeeded Paul F. Holloway.

Prior to being named Center Director, Creedon served as Director of the Airframe Systems Program Office and Director of the Aeronautics Program Group. Creedon began his NASA career at Langley in June 1963 as a research engineer in the Navigation and Guidance Research Branch, Instrument Research Division.

Creedon has a doctoral degree from the University of Rhode Island. He is the author of more than 30 technical articles and is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Before being named Chief Technologist, Venneri served as Director of the Spacecraft Systems Division in the former Office of Space Access and Technology. He started his career at NASA in 1981 as a program manager in the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology, where he was responsible for the spacecraft design technology, structural dynamics, computational analysis and design methodology, and aircraft and engine materials and structures technology.

Prior to joining NASA, Venneri was an aerospace consultant with Swales and Associates and principal engineer with Fairchild Space Electronics. He has a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree in engineering from George Washington University.

"We have a variety of technology and fiscal challenges ahead of us," added Administrator O'Keefe. "Having Jerry and Sam together on the same team here in Washington will play an important role in the continued success of our aeronautics and aerospace technology efforts."

Delma C. Freeman, Jr., Langley's Deputy Center Director, will assume duties as Acting Director.