Roy S. Estess, center director for NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, has announced plans to retire after 42 years in government service, 37 with NASA. Administrator Sean O'Keefe named William (Bill) W. Parsons Jr., the current Center Operations and Support Director at Stennis, as Estess' successor, effective August 25th.

Parsons and Estess. Credit: NASA

"Roy joined NASA at the height of the Apollo program and has played an instrumental role in the successful development of the agency. He literally grew up with NASA and has been an exemplary public servant and visionary manager throughout his career," said Administrator O'Keefe. "Throughout his career, each time there was a need within the agency, Roy has been there to answer the call. He's been a true NASA statesman, and America's space program owes Roy a deep debt of gratitude."

Estess first joined NASA in 1966 as a test engineer on the Saturn V second-stage test program. He later served as head of the Applications Engineering Office, deputy of the Earth Resources Laboratory and director of the Regional Applications Program. From 1980 to 1988, he served as Stennis' Deputy Director and was named Center Director in 1989.

In 1992, Estess was temporarily assigned to NASA Headquarters in Washington as a special assistant to the Administrator and served two consecutive NASA Administrators. From February 2001 to April 2002, Estess was temporarily assigned as acting director of the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston.

"Through his entire career, Roy has been a steadying influence at NASA," added Administrator O'Keefe. "He's a no- nonsense manager and a straight shooter who knows how to cut through a problem to find a solution. Roy's leadership, candor and friendship will be missed."

Parsons is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and decided to join NASA after watching a space shuttle launch while on a Florida vacation. He joined the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in 1986 and transferred to the NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in 1990.

Parsons met Estess in 1994 at KSC and decided to move to Stennis in 1997 where he served as Chief of Operations for all propulsion test operations. In 1998, Parsons was named Deputy Director of JSC, where he was later reunited with Estess. He moved back to Stennis in 2001.

Estess and Parsons were born just six miles apart in Pike County, Miss. Estess graduated from Mississippi State University in 1960 with a degree in aerospace engineering. Parsons attended the University of Mississippi, where he graduated with an engineering degree in 1979. Both men have completed extensive graduate studies.

"Although they grew up a generation apart, both Roy and Bill have roots in the same Mississippi community and both share a deep commitment and love for this agency," said Administrator O'Keefe. "Both men are talented engineers, excellent communicators and effective leaders. While I am sorry to see Roy leave NASA, I am excited about the opportunity before Bill and I know our colleagues at Stennis will give him their full support."

Stennis is NASA's center for rocket propulsion testing and Earth science remote-sensing applications. Stennis is considered a unique federal city and is home to more than 30 federal, state, academic and private organizations.