382. Lester Lyles is not to be the next NASA administrator

Lester Lyles, retired air force general, has confirmed yesterday that he has taken his name out of consideration for the NASA administrator post. He was clearly a favorite in the run started on Jan 20, to the point that Obama administration pushed him to take the post. I think it would be fair to say – thank you, Mr. Lyles.

In the mean time, it is rather unclear again who is going to be the next NASA administrator (is it true that Isakowitz is the candidate N1 right now, after Gration is appointed special envoy to Sudan?). Man, how are they supposed to manage to go to the Moon, if they are unable to make a single administrative decision for months?

Isakowitz bio from the DoE website:

Steve Isakowitz was sworn in June 1, 2007 as Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Energy after being unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As CFO, Mr. Isakowitz plays a vital role in the Department’s $24 billion budget that supports important energy, scientific, and national security investments. He has overall responsibility for the Department’s financial management, budget formulation and execution, program analysis and evaluation, corporate information systems, and loan guarantee program.

Prior to DOE, Mr. Isakowitz held important positions in policy, finance, program management, and engineering. Since 1991, he has led key efforts for the US Government in support of major national goals in research and development, space exploration, and national security. At the Office of Management and Budget, he supported the White House in overseeing $50 billion in Federal science and technology programs across multiple Federal agencies and led development of major interagency initiatives. At the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, he was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller responsible for directing the agency’s $16 billion annual budget, and Deputy Associate Administrator in charge of major space exploration programs. At the Central Intelligence Agency, he was a senior manager with the Science & Technology Directorate responsible for devising innovative technical projects and addressing high priority issues within the intelligence community.

Previously, Mr. Isakowitz was a corporate manager and senior engineer at Lockheed Martin Corporation and a senior consultant at Booz, Allen & Hamilton. He is also the recipient of the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award, a top award for executive performance, and an author of a technical book on space launch vehicles.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Isakowitz graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in aerospace engineering. He and his wife, Monica, live in Virginia and have four children.