She will assist the associate administrator in the oversight of the agency's technical mission areas and field center operations.

Johnson has been serving as a special assistant to the associate administrator since June 2005.

"Ms. Johnson brings to this position a strong technical and program management background along with a deep understanding of the agency's diverse portfolio and operations," Geveden said. "Her capabilities, interpersonal skills and credibility will be great assets to this office," he added.

Johnson previously served as deputy chief engineer for program integration and operations in the office of NASA's chief engineer, where she focused on development and implementation of engineering and management policies, standards and practices, including merging the agency's engineering and project management training programs to improve quality and efficiency.

She also has served as associate director for exploratory missions in the Office of Earth Science at NASA Headquarters, where she managed formulation and development of exploratory missions, including QuikToms, GRACE, CALIPSO, CLOUDSAT, Triana, AQUARIUS, HYDROS and OCO.

She joined NASA in 1985 in the Remote Sensing Technology Branch at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. At Langley she designed and built laser systems for advanced active remote sensors. She also served in a number of management and engineering positions at Langley, including as assistant head of the Electro-Optics and Controls Branch.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Physics from Lincoln University, Lincoln University, Pa., and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University, State College.

She has received numerous awards and commendations, including the Office of Earth Science Terra Most Valuable Player award and the "Outstanding Woman in Science" award presented by the National Technical Association.

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