Stephen Cash Named Director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman named Stephen Cash director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The appointment is effective Monday, Oct. 19. Cash is a veteran NASA engineer and aerospace executive who returns to lead the center where he began his career more than four decades ago.

As center director, Cash will lead one of NASA's largest field centers, overseeing a workforce of more than 5,000 civil service and contractor employees. The center manages a broad portfolio including propulsion, space systems, scientific research, and technology development activities.

Marshall plays a critical role in NASA's Artemis program, including development of the Space Launch System rocket, management of the Human Landing System Program, and capabilities supporting sustained exploration of the Moon and future missions to Mars. The center also advances nuclear power and propulsion.

Cash began his NASA career at Marshall in 1982 and spent 34 years with the agency. He held senior engineering and management positions supporting human spaceflight programs. He served as manager of Marshall's Space Shuttle Propulsion Office and later as director of the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate from 2011 until his retirement in 2016.

Following his NASA retirement, Cash served as vice president for advanced space systems at Axient. In 2024, he was inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

Isaacman said Cash brings experience, technical judgment and mission focus needed to lead the center. Cash succeeds Rae Ann Meyer, who has served as acting center director since September 2025. Meyer will return to her role as Deputy Center Director.